Young Jewish Woman of Algeria, Seated, 1846, Théodore Chassériau (French, 1819–1856), Watercolor over graphite, sheet: 11 3/4 x 9 1/8 in. (29.8 x 23.3 cm), The Metropolitan Museum of Art
First, let’s start with Théodore Chassériau. He entered the studio of Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres when he was eleven. (Ingres was a former student of David and was a classicist!). So Chassériau had a strong classical approach to his work. That’s not the only influence he had though…he was also interested in the rich colors and romantic themes of the works of Delacroix. He ended up traveling to exotic places like northern Africa and the Middle East (just like Delacroix!) He died at 37, but made a lot of paintings, murals & drawings. Lots of which were portraits or studies of historical, religious, or literary subjects.
This work is a small work of graphite on watercolor paper. I think, on the right side of the drawing there are some notes? (that’s what it looks like to me, PLEASE tell me if you think otherwise!) Probably making you think that they might have been for a later work or something? (just a wild guess) The woman is looking directly at you, & is kind of in an informal posture. Her face is drawn with the most detail, compared to the rest of her body. Her clothing & the environment are really sketchy. She’s sitting on the floor, which I think is unconventional for French thinking..it would have been weird for a woman to be sitting on the floor; in French society she would have been sitting on a chair or something. This scene would have been appealing to those interested in romantic subjects. And I think that’s about it?
Comment, comment, comment! Thanks!
-Vanisha!
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