Artwork
Two Young Women Seated
Two Young Women Seated is a drawing by the Impressionist artist Lucien Simon. It dates from 1908 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Lucien Simon’s 1908 drawing titled Two Young Women Seated depicts a quiet domestic scene. Rendered in a single sheet of paper, the work is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The composition presents two women positioned side by side on a couch, captured in a moment of stillness.
Subject & Meaning
The figures are rendered in modest attire, with loose sleeves and simple necklines that suggest everyday clothing rather than formal dress. One figure holds a sheet of paper, while the other rests her hands together, creating a sense of shared contemplation. The relaxed posture conveys an intimate, unguarded interaction between the women.
Technique & Style
Simon employs a loose, gestural line and soft shading to convey volume without relying on precise contours. The drawing’s economy of mark‑making and subtle tonal transitions reflect an interest in capturing fleeting gestures, aligning the work with broader early‑20th‑century approaches to everyday subject matter.
History & Provenance
Created in 1908, Two Young Women Seated entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition, though the exact path of ownership prior to its museum purchase is not documented in the available record. The work remains on view as part of the museum’s representation of early modern French drawing.
Artist & collection
![Young Woman, Florence [recto], by Seth Wells Cheney](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/seth-wells-cheney--young-woman-florence-recto--05fb201b0cc35006-w320.webp)
