The artwork “Study for Les Demoiselles des bords de la Seine” is a creation of the artist Gustave Courbet, dating back to 1856. It is an oil painting on canvas that belongs to the Realism art movement. The dimensions of the painting are 64.6 by 81.2 centimeters. It can be classified within the genre of portrait and is currently housed at the National Gallery of Australia (NGA) in Canberra, Australia.
The artwork depicts a woman in a tranquil and possibly introspective state. She is shown reclining and appears to be at rest or in a state of repose, with her head softly tilted to one side atop what seems to be a dark background. Her clothing suggests a middle-class attire of the era, characterized by a somewhat rustic texture, while the white, almost translucent, ruffles of her blouse provide a delicate contrast to the otherwise earthy tones of her dress and surroundings. The brushwork demonstrates Courbet’s mastery of Realist portraiture, capturing textures and the emotive presence of the subject with subtlety and depth. The mood evoked is one of serenity and quietude, allowing viewers to perhaps reflect on the private moments of human experience.
