Portrait of Joséphine Gaujelin by Degas

Glorifying the presence of his model with a rare psychological intensity, this oil on canvas by Edgar Degas entitled “Portrait of Joséphine Gaujelin” stands out as a major composition of modern realism. Painted in the second half of the nineteenth century, this unique portrait departs from traditional worldly representations to explore the inner self of a woman of her time. The artist abandons the artifices of academic staging to capture the raw dignity and silent seriousness of this figure.

The protagonist is seated in the center in a white chair, her torso facing forward and her hands clasped in her lap. She wears a deep, opaque black dress that completely envelopes her body and goes up to her chin with a high closed collar. Her dark hair is combed back, crowned with a wreath of delicate golden flowers. On the left of the image stands a white dressing table topped by a mirror with light fringes, supporting a brown box under yellow fabrics. The back wall shows a warm, uniform yellow ochre hue, while a red and gray patterned cushion supports the young woman’s back.

The pictorial mastery of Edgar Degas is illustrated in the striking treatment of value contrasts and the depth of the blacks of the garment. Playing with a soft angled light, he beautifully sculpts the volume of the faces and the silky textures of the surrounding fabrics. This rigorous work testifies to his exceptional naturalistic sensitivity.