Artwork
Study for the Frieze of Sainte Geneviève
Study for the Frieze of Sainte Geneviève is a drawing by the Impressionist artist Pierre Puvis de Chavannes. It dates from 1875 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Pierre Puvis de Chavannes created 'Study for the Frieze of Sainte Geneviève' around 1875, a drawing that served as a preparatory work for a larger composition.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a woman's profile, with her hair pulled back, in a classical style characteristic of Puvis de Chavannes' allegorical scenes.
Technique & Style
Executed in shades of gray and brown on light brown paper, the study features loose, rapid lines, focusing on capturing the shape and flow of the subject's hair and face.
History & Provenance
As a leading French muralist, Puvis de Chavannes co-founded the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts, and his work had an influence on subsequent artists.
Artist & collection
Artist
Pierre Puvis de Chavannes (French pronunciation: ; 14 December 1824 – 24 October 1898) was a French painter known for his mural painting, who came to be known as "the painter for France".
