Artwork
Victorine Meurent
Victorine Meurent is an oil painting by the Realist artist Edouard Manet. It dates from 1862 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.
About this work
Overview
Édouard Manet’s 1862 oil portrait of Victorine Meurent, created when she was eighteen, is part of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts collection. The work presents the young woman against a dark, unadorned backdrop, emphasizing her face and the delicate white collar with black lace trim that frames her.
Subject & Meaning
Victorine Meurent, who later modeled for Manet’s The Street Singer, is depicted with a composed, serious expression. Her light brown hair is gathered at the back, and a dark bow at her neck adds a modest accent, suggesting a restrained, intimate study of youth and poise.
Technique & Style
Manet employs soft, fluid brushwork to render Meurent’s skin, allowing subtle blurring on the cheek and forehead that softens the likeness while maintaining overall clarity. The contrast between the luminous figure and the deep background demonstrates his interest in chiaroscuro and the interplay of light and shadow.
History & Provenance
The portrait first appeared in the collection of Glasgow philanthropist William Burrell, then entered the Galerie Bernheim‑Jeune in 1905.
The portrait first appeared in the collection of Glasgow philanthropist William Burrell, then entered the Galerie Bernheim‑Jeune in 1905. It later passed to Alphonse Kahn of Saint‑Germain‑en‑Laye, was acquired by dealer Paul Rosenberg, and entered the collection of Robert Treat Paine, a trustee of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. In 1946 the museum received the painting as a bequest from Paine’s son, Richard C. Paine.
Context
Created during Manet’s early mature period, the portrait coincides with his exploration of contemporary subjects and modern portraiture. Meurent’s later appearance in The Street Singer indicates Manet’s ongoing collaboration with the same model, reflecting his practice of revisiting familiar faces across different works.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Édouard Manet didn’t have much time to make his mark—he died at 51—but he used every year.
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