Study 1890

Gustave-Claude-Etienne Courtois made this study in Paris in 1879 with oil on canvas. The application of paint is crucial to understanding this work. Notice how Courtois deploys thin, translucent glazes that give the painting a luminous quality. Look closely at the patterns on the kimono: these are not sharply defined, but rather suggested with delicate brushstrokes, hinting at the textile’s texture. The background is similarly treated, with broad strokes of gold paint that create a shimmering effect. Courtois’s skill lies in the way he evokes the textures and patterns of fabric. This interest in surface and decoration speaks to the broader cultural context of late 19th-century Paris, where there was growing fascination with Japanese art and design. Ultimately, it’s the material qualities of the paint, and the way they’re manipulated, that makes this study so compelling. It bridges the gap between fine art and craft, and it challenges us to consider how different modes of production inform our understanding of beauty.