Woman with Black Hair (Jeune femme avec cheveux noirs, buste)

Discussion

FROM THE BARNES FOUNDATION’S CATALOG

The painting shows Gabrielle Renard, a beloved nursemaid to the Renoir family who became one of the artist's favorite models. Often Renoir presents Gabrielle in a maternal role, as in the Artist's Family (Room 1) or The Writing Lesson (Room 14). Here, however, Renoir presents a more eroticized version of her. The glittery necklace and cascading scarf are likely props from the artist's studio, while the rose-colored palette—including the tones spreading across her cheeks—suffuses the picture with sensuality.

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