Artwork
Parisienne in a Red Dress
Parisienne in a Red Dress is an oil painting by Jean Béraud. It dates from 1900 and is held in the collection of the Clark Art Institute.
About this work
Overview
Parisienne in a Red Dress is an oil painting created by Jean Béraud in 1900, now part of the Clark Art Institute's collection. It depicts a solitary female figure in a vivid red dress and coat, set against a wintry Parisian backdrop.
Subject & Meaning
The painting focuses on a woman, her face obscured, walking in the snow. Her attire—a long, dark red coat with a white fur collar and a matching hat with a red ribbon—captures the fashion of the Belle Époque. The scene conveys a sense of quiet contemplation, possibly reflecting the everyday life and atmosphere of Paris during this period.
Technique & Style
Béraud employs chiaroscuro to achieve depth and dimensionality. The contrast between the woman's red attire and the muted, snowy landscape enhances the visual impact, while the blurred facial features maintain the subject's anonymity.
History & Provenance
Painted in 1900, the work is characteristic of Béraud's realistic depictions of Parisian life. It is currently held in the collection of the Clark Art Institute.
Context
Created during the Belle Époque, the painting reflects the era's fashion and the daily life of Parisians. Béraud's detailed realism provides a glimpse into the city's winter landscape and the people within it.
Legacy
As part of Béraud's oeuvre, Parisienne in a Red Dress contributes to the broader documentation of late 19th and early 20th-century Parisian society through art. Its legacy lies in its representation of a bygone era's everyday moments.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jean Béraud was born on January 12, 1849, in Saint Petersburg, Russia, to French parents; his father, also named Jean, was a sculptor employed at St.
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