Artwork

Seated African Woman

Seated African Woman, by Henri Regnault, unspecified, 1864
Seated African Woman, by Henri Regnault, unspecified, 1864

Seated African Woman is an unspecified painting by the Impressionist artist Henri Regnault. It dates from 1864 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Seated African Woman is a portrait painting by French artist Henri Regnault, dated to around 1864. It is part of the collection at The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a serene African woman in a state of repose. Seated on a white cloth draped over a chair or bench, she is largely nude, wearing only an orange headscarf. Her calm expression and relaxed posture convey an atmosphere of quiet contemplation.

Technique & Style

Regnault employed chiaroscuro to create depth and volume, focusing attention on the subject's figure. The contrasting play of light and dark accents her form against a subdued background of indistinct shapes and a partially visible red curtain.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1864, the painting's history prior to its acquisition by The Cleveland Museum of Art is not detailed here. It has been part of the museum's collection.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Henri Regnault

Artist

Henri Regnault

Born in Paris on October 31, 1843, Henri-Georges-Alexandre Regnault was the son of Henri Victor Regnault, the celebrated chemist and professor at the Collège de France.

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