Paul César Helleu (Vannes, 1859 - 1927, Paris)
Woman Reclining, about 1890
Brown ink and brown and black wash on wove paper, 22.5 x 28.1 cm (8 7/8 x 11 1/16 in.)
This horizontal brown ink and wash painting depicts the figure of a young woman leaning back on an upholstered sofa. The background is painted in shades of the brown wash. The sofa is outlined loosely in a darker brown. The figure reclines with her head tipped a bit on the back of the sofa. The right side of her face is visible. She has short brown hair that falls in soft curls close to her scalp and forehead and light skin. Her eyes are closed and there is a peaceful feel to her face. She is wearing a sleeveless dark brown dress. Her arms are bent at the elbow, with flat hands touching at neck level. In the lower left is the artist’s signature.
Short Gallery
Commentary
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