Artwork
Portrait de vielles femmes
Portrait de vielles femmes is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Georges Jeanniot. It dates from 1895 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Georges Jeanniet’s 1895 drypoint, titled *Portrait de vieilles femmes*, presents a compact group portrait executed on brown china paper.
About this work
Overview
Georges Jeanniet’s 1895 drypoint, titled *Portrait de vieilles femmes*, presents a compact group portrait executed on brown china paper. The work captures four elderly women gathered closely, each rendered with distinct gestures and modest attire, set against a plain background that emphasizes their expressions.
Subject & Meaning
The composition focuses on the lived experience of aging women, highlighting individuality through subtle details: one figure folds her hands in contemplation, another leans on a walking stick, a third fans herself, while the fourth dons a wide‑brimmed hat. The worn yet expressive faces suggest a quiet dignity and communal solidarity.
Technique & Style
Jeanniot employed the drypoint method, incising lines directly into the paper with a sharp needle. The resulting burr produces a characteristic rough, scratchy texture, visible as faint, finger‑like marks that lend the image a spontaneous, sketch‑like quality. The loose line work and tonal variations convey immediacy and tactile presence.
History & Provenance
Created in 1895, the print belongs to the late‑19th‑century French printmaking tradition. While specific ownership records are scarce, the work has been cited in catalogues of Jeanniot’s oeuvre as an example of his interest in everyday subjects and his exploration of drypoint’s expressive potential.
Artist & collection
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The Actress Ellen Andrée