The artwork, titled “Jeanne Duval, Baudelaire’s Mistress, Reclining (Lady with a Fan),” was created by Edouard Manet in 1862 in Paris, France. This portrait belongs to the Realism movement and is executed in oil on canvas, measuring 90 x 113 cm. The piece is currently housed in the Budapest Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest, Hungary.
In the artwork, Jeanne Duval is depicted in a reclining position. She is dressed in a voluminous, flowing white gown that dominates the composition, suggesting a sense of languor and elegance. Her right arm is delicately draped over the back of the sofa, while her left hand holds a dark fan, adding a contrasting element to her light attire. The background is adorned with sheer, lacy curtains that enhance the intimate atmosphere of the scene. Manet’s loose brushwork and attention to light and shadow convey the texture of the fabric and the relaxed yet poised demeanor of the subject. The overall effect is one of subdued sophistication and introspective allure.
