The artwork titled “Mademoiselle de Fitz James,” executed by the artist Henri Fantin-Latour in 1867, is an exemplary piece of Realism rendered in oil on canvas. This portrait masterfully captures the essence of its subject, indicative of Fantin-Latour’s meticulous attention to detail and adherence to the Realist movement.
The painting portrays a young woman, Mademoiselle de Fitz James, whose serene yet thoughtful expression invites the viewer into a quiet introspection. Her soft features are bathed in a subtle light, contrasting against the darker background, which further emphasizes her delicate visage and intricate details of her attire. She is adorned in a white off-shoulder dress with accents of pink, complemented by a simple yet elegant choker with a pendant, encapsulating the modest yet refined fashion of the era. Fantin-Latour’s adept use of light and shadow, coupled with his fine brushwork, adds depth and realism to the portrait, making it a quintessential representation of 19th-century portraiture.
