Artwork

Costume Study for Opera Singer

Costume Study for Opera Singer, by Jean Michel Moreau le Jeune, 1781
Costume Study for Opera Singer, by Jean Michel Moreau le Jeune, 1781

Costume Study for Opera Singer is a drawing by the Romanticist artist Jean Michel Moreau le Jeune. It dates from 1781 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1781 by French artist Jean-Michel Moreau le Jeune, *Costume Study for Opera Singer* is a drawing that showcases a theatrical costume design of the late 18th century.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a woman in an elaborate, oversized white dress with blue and green floral patterns, characteristic of opulent opera attire during this period. Her pose, with one hand pointing and the other holding a fan, suggests a performance context.

Technique & Style

Executed with quick, expressive lines, the drawing prioritizes capturing the volume and flow of the fabric over intricate details, reflecting Moreau le Jeune's adeptness in rapid, observational drawing.

History & Provenance

The work is part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection, highlighting its significance within the institution's holdings of 18th-century French art.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Jean Michel Moreau le Jeune

Artist

Jean Michel Moreau le Jeune

Jean-Michel Moreau (26 March 1741 – 30 November 1814), also called Moreau le Jeune ("the younger"), was a French draughtsman, illustrator and engraver.

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