Who painted Portret van een vrouw?

Portret van een vrouw was painted by Édouard Vuillard in 1912.

Where can I see Portret van een vrouw?

Portret van een vrouw is held by Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp.

What movement is Portret van een vrouw?

Portret van een vrouw is associated with Post-Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Portret van een vrouw?

Museum-quality prints of Portret van een vrouw are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portret van een vrouw

Édouard Vuillard , 1912

Portret van een vrouw is an unspecified painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Édouard Vuillard. It dates from 1912 and is held in the collection of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp.

About this work

The woman's face is the central focus of the painting, with her dark hair and clothing contrasting with the lighter background.

This painting features a woman with dark, curly hair and a dark top. The background is a mix of light and dark colors, with some visible brushstrokes. The overall mood is subdued, with the woman's expression difficult to discern.

The woman's face is the central focus of the painting, with her dark hair and clothing contrasting with the lighter background. The artist's use of color and brushwork creates a sense of depth and texture.

The painting is a portrait of Lucie Hessel, created by Édouard Vuillard in 1912. To learn more about the artist's style and technique, look up Édouard Vuillard.

Overview

Édouard Vuillard’s 1912 oil portrait, titled *Portret van een vrouw*, presents a seated woman against a muted backdrop of intermingled light and dark tones. The composition centers on her face, framed by dark, curly hair and a similarly dark garment, while the surrounding area is rendered with visible brushstrokes that suggest depth without overt detail. The overall atmosphere is restrained, with the sitter’s expression remaining ambiguous.

Subject & Meaning

The work portrays Lucie Hessel, a figure known to Vuillard from his personal circle. By focusing on her visage and minimizing surrounding narrative elements, Vuillard emphasizes the individuality of the sitter rather than a broader story. The subdued palette and softened modeling convey a quiet intimacy, inviting viewers to contemplate the inner life of the subject rather than a dramatic scene.

Technique & Style

Created after the dissolution of Les Nabis, the portrait reflects Vuillard’s shift toward a more realistic approach. He employs a limited color range, allowing the dark hair and clothing to stand out against a lighter, loosely brushed background. The brushwork remains expressive, with textured strokes that hint at the decorative sensibilities of his earlier work while prioritizing a faithful representation of the figure.

History & Provenance

The painting entered the collection of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp, where it remains on display. It dates from a period when Vuillard was moving away from the flat, decorative compositions of his Nabis years toward a more naturalistic portraiture, marking an important phase in his artistic development.