In the Sun 1891

Theodore Robinson painted this intimate oil sketch, “In the Sun”, sometime before his death in 1896. Painted en plein air, the work captures a young woman lying in a field, her face partially obscured by a straw hat, with sunlight dappling her form. During the late 19th century, as the Impressionist style took hold, the representation of women in art was often confined to domestic or leisure settings, reflecting the limited roles women occupied in society. Robinson, who deeply admired Monet, often depicted women in such relaxed poses. However, there is a distinct sensitivity in his rendering of the woman’s quiet repose, perhaps hinting at the artist's deeper empathy. Is this an affirmation of leisure as a feminine ideal? Or does it suggest an alternative narrative, one where women find moments of autonomy outside the confines of social expectation? Robinson’s gentle brushstrokes invite viewers to consider the subtle emotional complexities of women’s lives during a time of significant social change.