Artwork

Young Woman Combing Her Hair

Young Woman Combing Her Hair, by Achille Devéria, 1804
Young Woman Combing Her Hair, by Achille Devéria, 1804

Young Woman Combing Her Hair is a drawing by the Romanticist artist Achille Devéria. It dates from 1804 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Young Woman Combing Her Hair, a drawing by Achille Devéria circa 1804, is part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection. The work depicts a serene, everyday moment of a woman grooming herself near an ornate chair.

Subject & Meaning

The subject is a young woman in a relaxed pose, combing her hair while standing beside a distinctive, crowned chair draped with striped fabric. The scene emphasizes the quiet intimacy of a personal moment.

Technique & Style

Devéria employed quick, expressive lines to convey movement and capture light, with selective detailing on the woman's gesture and the chair's ornate elements. The background remains subdued, with faint, suggestive renderings.

History & Provenance

Created around 1804, the drawing is now housed at The Cleveland Museum of Art, though specific details of its provenance prior to acquisition are not highlighted here.

Context

This work aligns with early 19th-century Romanticism, which often highlighted emotional authenticity and the beauty in mundane, personal experiences. The emphasis on expressive gesture and selective detail supports this contextual framing.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Achille Devéria

Artist

Achille Devéria

Achille Jacques-Jean-Marie Devéria (6 February 1800 – 23 December 1857) was a French painter and lithographer known for his portraits of famous writers and artists.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.