Artwork
Young Woman in Kimono
Young Woman in Kimono is an oil painting by the American Impressionist artist Alfred H. Maurer. It dates from 1901 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Alfred H.
About this work
Overview
Alfred H. Maurer’s oil on canvas, Young Woman in Kimono, dates to around 1901. The work portrays a solitary female figure seated on a wooden chair within a dimly lit interior, her attire consisting of a loose brown kimono accented by a vivid red sash.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is captured in a moment of quiet contemplation, her red slippers visible beneath the kimono’s hem and a red cloth clasped in her hands. The sparse setting, highlighted by a small framed picture on the wall, emphasizes the intimacy of the private space.
Technique & Style
Maurer employs loose, sketch‑like brushwork that imparts a sense of immediacy to the composition. A subtle chiaroscuro model renders the woman’s face and hands in soft light, while the surrounding darkness recedes, creating depth through contrast rather than detail.
History & Provenance
Created at the turn of the twentieth century, the painting reflects Maurer’s early exploration of modernist tendencies before his later shift toward abstraction. Its provenance traces back to the artist’s estate, later entering public collections through donation in the mid‑20th century.
Context
The work emerges during a period when Western artists were increasingly fascinated by Eastern aesthetics, incorporating elements such as kimono dress and compositional restraint. Maurer’s choice of subject aligns with this broader cultural curiosity while retaining his personal painterly approach.
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