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Portrait of a Young Girl Wearing a Beret

Art Appreciation

This captivating portrait captures a young girl in quiet reflection, her profile gently outlined against a muted, almost misty background. Her delicate features—soft skin, a slightly parted mouth, and eyes turned forward—suggest a moment of introspective thought or silent observation. The girl's hair, a warm cascade of reddish tones, contrasts beautifully with the cool, shadowy blues and greys of her beret and clothing, creating a subtle interplay between warmth and coolness that energizes the composition without overwhelming it. The loose, impressionistic brushwork blends with more defined strokes, lending an ethereal softness that evokes a sense of fleeting beauty and youthful innocence.

The artist employs a delicate balance of detail and suggestion, allowing the viewer's imagination to complete the delicate personality behind the likeness. The somber background fades into abstract smudges and marks, providing an atmospheric depth that enriches the emotional weight of the scene. Signed faintly in the upper left, the signature acts as a whisper of the creator’s presence, never detracting from the subject’s contemplative aura. This work, dating back to 1880, exemplifies the era’s artistic fascination with capturing not just the physical likeness but the inner dimension of the sitter—a poetic glimpse into youth poised on the edge of experience.

Portrait of a Young Girl Wearing a Beret

Paul César Helleu

Category:

Created:

1880

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0

Dimensions:

3118 × 3800 px
327 × 405 mm

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