The artwork, titled “A mousmé, half-Figure,” was created by Vincent van Gogh in 1888 in Arles, Bouches-du-Rhône, France. It belongs to the Japonism art movement and is classified under the genre of sketch and study.
Rendered predominantly in black ink, the artwork depicts a young female figure, referred to as a “mousmé,” a term van Gogh borrowed from Japanese culture to describe a young girl. The subject’s hair is neatly arranged, tied back with a ribbon, accentuating her delicate facial features. The detailed lines of her attire contrast subtly with the stippled background, contributing to the piece’s textural depth. The artwork showcases van Gogh’s interest in Japanese aesthetics, employing both precise linework and an economy of detail that reflects the influence of Japonism on his work during this period.
