Madame Frederic Breyer (Fanny Hélène Van Bruyssel, 1830–1894)
Original title: Madame Frederic Breyer (Fanny Hélène Van Bruyssel, 1830–1894)
kurzbeschreibung
In 1858 Gustave Courbet painted Madame Frédéric Breyer, born Fanny Hélène Van Bruyssel. This oil on canvas presents the young woman seated on a red chair and dressed in a dark gown.
Description
The sitter takes her place on a red chair, her dark garment set off by a striking red button at the neck. Her hands rest folded in her lap, and her dark hair is gathered into a knot. Behind her, green trees and plants appear softly out of focus, giving the picture a natural, quiet mood. Light enters from the side and picks out the contours of her face and clothing.
Context
Courbet made this portrait in 1858, by which time he had established himself as a leading Realist. Fanny Hélène Van Bruyssel was the wife of the Belgian industrialist Frédéric Breyer. During his stays in Belgium, Courbet produced several likenesses for wealthy patrons.
Impact
The calm seated pose and the light falling from the side give the image a focused, intimate presence. The dark gown against the pale face draws the eye straight to the sitter's features.
Technique
Oil on canvas forms the base of this painting. The handling is marked by careful attention to textures and colors, as was characteristic of nineteenth-century portraiture.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)