The artwork entitled “Madame Gobillard, Yves Morisot” was painted by the esteemed artist Edgar Degas in 1869. This oil on canvas piece exemplifies the Impressionist movement, a genre in which Degas was deeply rooted and contributed significantly. The artwork measures 54.3 x 65.1 cm and falls within the genre of portraiture, capturing the likeness and personality of its subject.
In the artwork, the viewer is presented with a woman dressed elegantly in a black garment that blends into the rich, dark tones of the background. The lady’s pose is relaxed and contemplative, seated on what appears to be a comfortable sofa. Her gaze is directed away from the viewer, suggesting a moment caught in introspection or daydreaming. The brushstrokes are loose and expressive, and the use of light and shadow contribute to the overall impressionistic quality of the piece.
A significant feature of this artwork is the atmospheric permeation of light, which suggests an indoor setting with natural lighting filtering through a window. The window frames a view of lush greenery, offering a contrast between the interior space and the outside world. Tones of warm beige and soft whites dominate the composition, infusing the scene with a serene ambiance. The background is rendered with a sense of depth that alludes to other objects and possibly other rooms, yet the details are subtly blended, allowing the subject to remain the focal point of the artwork.
