Parisian Model in a Dressing Gown 1885

Albert Edelfelt created "Parisian Model in a Dressing Gown" with pastel crayons, capturing a young woman's gaze. Edelfelt, a Finnish artist, spent much of his career in Paris, a city that drew artists internationally. This work invites us to consider the complexities of identity and representation during the late 19th century. Edelfelt’s choice of subject – a Parisian model – places us within a very specific social context. The dressing gown suggests an intimacy, yet the model’s direct gaze challenges the viewer, complicating the power dynamics inherent in the act of looking. Who was she? What was her life like? Her expression carries an emotional weight, hinting at the personal stories behind the canvas. Consider how Edelfelt navigates the visual language of his time, oscillating between traditional portraiture and developing new narratives around women’s roles and identities in a rapidly changing society. The artwork prompts us to reflect on the historical representation of women and the individual stories often left untold.