Who painted Une femme revêtue du Soleil (A woman clothed with the sun)?

Une femme revêtue du Soleil (A woman clothed with the sun) was painted by Ambroise Vollard in 1899.

Where can I see Une femme revêtue du Soleil (A woman clothed with the sun)?

Une femme revêtue du Soleil (A woman clothed with the sun) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Une femme revêtue du Soleil (A woman clothed with the sun)?

Une femme revêtue du Soleil (A woman clothed with the sun) is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Une femme revêtue du Soleil (A woman clothed with the sun)

Ambroise Vollard , 1899

Une femme revêtue du Soleil (A woman clothed with the sun) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Ambroise Vollard. It dates from 1899 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1899, Une femme revêtue du Soleil is a black lithograph on chine collé produced by Ambroise Vollard. The work presents a solitary female profile, her shoulders and face rendered in delicate, sketch‑like lines, set against a deep, uniform background. A luminous circle surrounds her head, from which sharp, radiating rays extend outward, giving the impression of a halo or burst of light.

Subject & Meaning

The title, translating to “A woman clothed with the sun,” evokes biblical imagery of the woman described in Revelation, yet the composition remains ambiguous. Rather than a narrative scene, the print emphasizes the interplay of light and form, suggesting an allegorical or symbolic reading that focuses on the woman’s inner illumination rather than a specific story.

Technique & Style

Vollard employed lithography, a planographic process where the image is drawn directly onto a stone or metal plate with greasy medium.

Vollard employed lithography, a planographic process where the image is drawn directly onto a stone or metal plate with greasy medium. The ink rests on the surface, allowing for fluid, gestural marks that resemble drawing. The use of chine collé—a thin paper adhered to a sturdier support—provides a smooth, matte ground that accentuates the stark contrast between the dark background and the luminous halo.

History & Provenance

Printed at the close of the 19th century, the work reflects Vollard’s occasional forays into printmaking alongside his more prominent role as an art dealer. While specific exhibition records are scarce, the lithograph has appeared in several catalogues of Vollard’s prints and is held in private collections that focus on turn‑of‑the‑century French graphic art.