Artwork
Woman with a Tambourine (verso)
Woman with a Tambourine (verso) is an ink drawing by the Impressionist artist Jean-Louis-Ernest Meissonier. It dates from 1860 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Jean‑Louis‑Ernest Meissonier’s drawing, dated around 1860, is executed in pen and brown ink on wove paper.
About this work
Overview
Jean‑Louis‑Ernest Meissonier’s drawing, dated around 1860, is executed in pen and brown ink on wove paper. The work measures a modest size typical of preparatory sketches and is catalogued as a drawing rather than a finished painting. It presents a solitary female figure, rendered in a single, swift medium that emphasizes line over color.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts a woman holding a circular tambourine, her posture relaxed yet poised. She wears a loose, high‑necked blouse and a long skirt whose hem is gathered in gentle folds. Her hair is pulled back, and one hand rests lightly on her hip, suggesting a moment of casual performance or private amusement.
Technique & Style
Meissonier employs rapid, sketchy strokes to outline the figure’s silhouette and clothing, prioritising the capture of gesture and mass over fine detail. Cross‑hatching appears in the shading, building tonal variation through intersecting lines. The overall effect is a study of movement and form, characteristic of the artist’s preparatory work.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1860, the drawing belongs to the period when Meissonier was producing numerous studies for larger compositions. Its provenance traces back to private collections before entering a museum inventory, where it is displayed alongside related works to illustrate the artist’s process and the role of drawing in 19th‑century French art.
Artist & collection
