Porträt einer jungen Dame c. 1870 - 1880

Editor: Here we have Franz von Lenbach's "Portrait of a Young Lady," probably painted between 1870 and 1880, done in oils. It’s a rather subdued piece, tonally, but there's something arresting about her gaze. What jumps out at you when you look at it? Curator: Subdued indeed! The painting has a wonderful moody quality. Lenbach’s impasto technique almost anticipates the impressionists, don't you think? The color palette is quite dark, save for her bright, almost melancholic face, so my eye is instantly drawn to that tension. Perhaps, a bit of light in the dark...Do you get a sense of who this young lady might have been? Editor: That’s a great question. Her expression seems almost wistful, certainly thoughtful. Someone from a comfortable background perhaps, given the dress and what seems like a gold bracelet. Does Lenbach usually paint portraits like this? Curator: Lenbach often depicted members of the aristocracy and wealthy middle class with great psychological depth, not merely for the sake of recording a likeness. Here, the sitter’s interiority seems to spill into the visible brushstrokes, creating a unique blend of inner life and tangible texture, which transcends a conventional academic style. In fact, the lack of idealization or beautification actually serves the painting. Editor: I see what you mean! The lack of idealization brings out the humanity in her. I didn't notice that before. Thanks for pointing that out! Curator: My pleasure! Seeing is a creative act after all, as alive as the day the portrait was painted, I would suggest!