Artwork
The Reading Girl
The Reading Girl is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Théodore Roussel. It dates from 1894 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery.
About this work
Overview
The Reading Girl is an oil painting created by Theodore Roussel in 1887. It depicts a nude young woman engrossed in reading, seated in a wooden chair with a kimono draped over the back.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is Hetty Pettigrew, a model who had previously appeared in works by other artists, including John Everett Millais. The painting conveys a sense of quiet contemplation, with the woman fully absorbed in her book.
Technique & Style
The painting features a dark background that focuses attention on the woman and her reading material. The artist's use of oil paint captures the vibrant floral pattern on the kimono and the subtle details of the woman's pose.
History & Provenance
The Reading Girl was exhibited at the New English Art Club in 1887 and later presented to the Tate Britain in 1927. It was praised by fellow artist William Orpen as a notable example of nude painting from the era.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Theodore Casimir Roussel (1847–1926) was a French-born English painter and graphic artist, best known for his landscapes and genre scenes.
