Portrait of a Woman

Portrait of a Woman by Jean-Baptiste-Antoine-Emile Béranger: Béranger is known as an academic painter of genre subjects.

What to notice

In Portrait of a Woman by Jean-Baptiste-Antoine-Emile Béranger, start with portrait, nature, complex. Then look closely at this museum-described detail: This pastel study of a young woman with downcast eyes conveys a sense of vitality and immediacy lacking in his more highly finished works in oil.

Discover

Béranger is known as an academic painter of genre subjects. This pastel study of a young woman with downcast eyes conveys a sense of vitality and immediacy lacking in his more highly finished works in oil. While the graceful features of her face are articulated with tender detail, the flowers adorning her hair are summarily indicated with a handful of rapid strokes, and her bodice is barely suggested.