Who painted The Dressing Room?

The Dressing Room was painted by Charles Maurin in 1898.

Where can I see The Dressing Room?

The Dressing Room is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is The Dressing Room?

The Dressing Room is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

The Dressing Room

Charles Maurin , 1898

The Dressing Room is a print by the Impressionist artist Charles Maurin. It dates from 1898 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Charles Maurin’s 1898 print titled The Dressing Room depicts a solitary nude woman in a sparsely furnished interior. She is captured drying her hair with her hands, while a red umbrella leans against the wall and a vase rests on a nearby shelf. A mirror on the right reflects a blue curtain and a small statue, and a wet floor bears a faint puddle at her feet.

Subject & Meaning

The work presents an intimate, everyday moment, emphasizing the quiet solitude of personal grooming. The juxtaposition of the nude figure with domestic objects—umbrella, vase, curtain—creates a tension between vulnerability and the ordinary, inviting contemplation of private space and the passage of time within a still, almost theatrical setting.

Technique & Style

Maurin employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, balancing soft, diffused illumination against deep shadows to model form and suggest depth. The contrast between the luminous skin and the darkened corners accentuates the figure’s volume, while the reflective surface of the mirror adds a secondary viewpoint, enriching the composition’s spatial complexity.

History & Provenance

Created at the close of the 19th century, The Dressing Room entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remains on view. The print reflects Maurin’s engagement with contemporary printmaking practices and his interest in exploring everyday scenes through a refined, graphic approach.