Artwork

Portrait of Guurtje Van de Stadt

Portrait of Guurtje Van de Stadt, by Claude Monet, oil, 1871
Portrait of Guurtje Van de Stadt, by Claude Monet, oil, 1871

Portrait of Guurtje Van de Stadt is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Claude Monet. It dates from 1871 and is held in the collection of the Kröller-Müller Museum.

About this work

Overview

Portrait of Guurtje Van de Stadt is an 1871 oil painting by Claude Monet, currently housed at the Kröller-Müller Museum. The work depicts a young woman in profile, set against a muted brown background that accentuates her figure.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, Guurtje Van de Stadt, is portrayed with fair skin, curly blonde hair tied back with a black ribbon, and dressed in a dark, high-necked, long-sleeved outfit overlaid with a lighter shawl or jacket. The profile view and somber attire convey a sense of reserve or introspection.

Technique & Style

Monet employs his characteristic Impressionist use of color and light to achieve depth and dimensionality. The contrast between the subject's lighter features and the darker, muted background enhances the overall sense of volume and presence.

History & Provenance

Created in 1871, the painting is part of the collection at the Kröller-Müller Museum, though specific details of its acquisition history are not provided here.

Context

While Monet is renowned for landscapes, this portrait demonstrates his skill in capturing individuals. The work predates the height of the Impressionist movement but showcases Monet's evolving approach to light and color.

Legacy

As a lesser-known work by Monet, its legacy is more closely tied to the artist's broader experimentation with Impressionist techniques rather than standing as an independently iconic piece within the movement.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Claude Monet

Artist

Claude Monet

Oscar-Claude Monet was born in Paris on November 14, 1840, and raised from the age of five in Le Havre, where he began selling charcoal caricatures as a teenager.

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