The artwork, “Therese de Gas, sister of the artist, later Madame Edmond Morbilli,” is an oil on canvas painting created by Edgar Degas around 1863. It is an exemplar of the Impressionist movement, measuring 89 by 67 centimeters. This portrait is housed in the Musée d’Orsay located in Paris, France.
Upon examining the artwork, one observes a young woman portrayed in a domestic interior setting. She is dressed in an elaborate black dress with a sweeping white skirt, overlaying which is a delicate black lace or sheer fabric. Notably, she is accessorized with a pale pink bow around her neck that offers a soft contrast to the dark tone of her clothing. Her head is adorned with a light-colored headpiece that holds her hair in place. The subject stands slightly off-center with a dignified posture, her gaze directed toward the viewer but with an expression that seems contemplative or introspective.
The color palette is relatively subdued, with earthy greens and browns dominating the background and touches of brighter color, such as the pink bow and the glimpse of a blue sky seen through the window, adding vibrancy to the composition. The brushwork appears precise, especially in the rendering of the woman’s facial features and attire, which is characteristic of Degas’ meticulous style before he fully embraced the looser brushstrokes of later Impressionism.
This artwork captures the grace and subtlety inherent in many of Degas’ portraits, reflecting both the artist’s technical skill and his ability to convey the personality or mood of his subject.
