La femme à l'aiguière (Woman with a Ewer)

1894

Maurice Denis

Associated Names
Maurice Denis

Artist, French, 1870 - 1943

The image depicts the upper body of a person in a profile view, focused on the head and hand. The person is shown holding a candle on a plate, with closed eyes and a serene expression. The hair falls to shoulder length, and the clothing has flowing, abstract patterns. The background features stylized trees and buildings, seen through window-like sections. The color palette is primarily green, creating a tranquil atmosphere.
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Artwork overview

Associated Artworks

See all 23 artworks
The image shows a close-up of a face, focusing primarily on the upper portion with the body not visible. The face is positioned facing towards the viewer. The facial features are indistinct, with no detailed characteristics visible, and the skin appears to have a soft, blurred texture. The hair is also vague, blending into the background with a fluid, indistinct texture. The clothing is not depicted, and there are no visible objects or jewelry present. The background consists of a uniform, warm sepia tone that blends seamlessly with the face, giving the entire image a soft and ethereal quality.

Étude de femme (Study of a Woman)

Eugène Carrière

1894

This is a photograph of a vintage book or magazine cover. The image displays the cover of an old, light brown publication with a minimalist design. The title "L'ÉPREUVE Album d'Art" is centrally aligned at the top, printed in a classic serif font. The paper shows signs of age with slight discoloration and some texture from wear. The lower-left corner of the cover is marked with the number "12," and the bottom right has another small marking, "XII."

L'Épreuve (album 1, deluxe edition)

Eugène Carrière, Jean Danguy, Maurice Denis, Emile Coulon, Simon Albert Bussy, Paul Edouard Crébassa, Henri-Gustave Jossot, Louis Auguste Mathieu Legrand, Maurice Dumont, Auguste-Hilaire Léveillé

1894

The image features a soft and somewhat abstract depiction of a human face against a dark background. The focus is on the facial region, as the rest of the body is not visible. The face is straight towards the viewer, and the facial features are subtly rendered. The eyes appear as slightly darker areas, and there is a gentle suggestion of a nose and mouth, but these features are not distinctly defined. The hair blends into the background. The background is a foggy, undistinguished expanse of dark tones, which emphasizes the face as the central element. No discernible clothing, jewelry, or objects are apparent, maintaining the focus solely on the visage within the shadows.

Étude de femme (Study of a Woman)

Eugène Carrière

1894

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Virginia and Ira Jackson, Houston; gift to NGA, 1996.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

2000

  • Prints Abound: Paris in the 1890s, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2000-2001, no. 32i, as La femme à l'aiguière (Woman with a Ewer), from L'Epreuve.

Bibliography

1968

  • Cailler, Pierre. Catalogue raisonne de l'oeuvre grave et lithographie de Maurice Denis. Geneva: Editions Pierre Cailler, 1968.

2000

  • Prints Abound: Paris in the 1890s. Exh. cat. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2000-2001: no. 32i.

Inscriptions

upper center in stone: M / A / U / D; stamped upper right verso in black: 12

Wikidata ID

Q75408186

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