The portrait depicts a woman, with a studio that is visible in the backdrop. Present are the use of very soft pastel colors, pinks, whites, and shades of gold. These colors are very typical for the late 19th-century French portrait and create a softness …show more content…
We can recognize the subject’s high stance through her expensive dress, and prominent jewelry. The realism of this portrait is a result of the “contemporary Impressionism” and “more conventional painting techniques” (placard.) Carolus-Duran has this idea that wasn’t common for the late 19th century France. The idea that a woman is not just a figure to be painted, and object, rather a being that thinks and has a purpose. It is through the act of painting itself, that the subject is doing that lead to this conclusion. Due to this active painting, we are able to see the contemplation that this woman has, once again establishing this idea of validation over objectification. This painting is not only a work of art but a social