Artwork
Petite fille (Young Girl)
Petite fille (Young Girl) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Eugène Martel. It dates from 1895 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Eugène Martel's 'Petite fille (Young Girl)' is a lithograph created in 1895 on japan paper, rendered in black ink. The work depicts a youthful subject with distinctive pigtails and a dark, ruffled-collared attire, captured in a gentle, over-the-shoulder pose.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, a young girl, is portrayed with an air of quiet contemplation, her gaze directed over her left shoulder. The simplicity and intimacy of the composition focus attention on the subject's serene demeanor.
Technique & Style
Executed as a lithograph, the piece leverages the medium's capabilities to achieve a soft, delicate visual quality. The use of black ink on japan paper enhances the overall subtlety of the portrait.
History & Provenance
Created in 1895, specific details regarding the work's provenance and exhibition history are not provided in available sources.
Context
While 'Petite fille' shares some of the intimate, everyday life themes associated with Impressionism, it is more accurately aligned with the broader, late 19th-century European printmaking traditions that emphasized subtle, nuanced representations.
Artist & collection
