Artwork
La Chemise
La Chemise is an unspecified painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Édouard Vuillard. It dates from 1903 and is held in the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Édouard Vuillard painted *La Chemise* in 1903, a work now part of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s collection. Created after his involvement with the Nabis, the piece reflects his turn toward more representational subjects while retaining a focus on interior space and decorative pattern.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas depicts a solitary woman seated on a chair, dressed in a plain white chemise. Her dark hair is gathered in an updo, and she rests her left hand on her hip while the right hand rests on her thigh. Her face is rendered indistinctly, and her gaze falls downward, lending the scene an intimate, contemplative mood.
Technique & Style
Vuillard employs a restrained palette of muted tones and soft, diffuse brushwork that softens edges and creates a tranquil atmosphere. The background consists of a lightly colored wall punctuated by a window on the right, allowing subtle light to filter into the interior space.
History & Provenance
After the dissolution of the Nabis in 1900, Vuillard’s practice shifted toward realistic interior scenes, a change evident in *La Chemise*. The painting entered the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s holdings, where it remains on view as an example of his early twentieth‑century work.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jean-Édouard Vuillard (French: ; 11 November 1868 – 21 June 1940) was a French painter, decorative artist, and printmaker.
