Georgette 1881

Editor: Here we have "Georgette," an 1881 oil on canvas portrait by Marie Bashkirtseff. The brushstrokes are so loose and painterly – it almost feels unfinished. There's a softness to the whole composition that makes me want to learn more. What is your read on it? Curator: Ah, "Georgette"! It's like stumbling upon a whispered secret, isn't it? Bashkirtseff, such a complex and fascinating figure herself, seems to imbue her subject with a similar depth. It isn’t merely a likeness, but an intimate observation, maybe even a conversation caught in time. What do you make of the sitter's gaze? Editor: She looks so self-possessed. Maybe a bit world-weary? Curator: Exactly! And consider the hat… adorned with roses. Such a frivolous detail, yet it’s balanced by the muted palette, the serious demeanor. It whispers of societal expectations versus individual spirit, perhaps. A rebellion subtly blooming amidst convention. The rapid brushstrokes speak volumes, too. Almost as though Bashkirtseff dashed it off with a purpose to capture her sitter’s attitude towards her time. Editor: I didn’t pick up on all of that! The juxtaposition you pointed out is amazing! It's interesting how brushwork also says a lot about how one could feel towards the topic they portray. Curator: That's the beauty of Impressionism and Post-Impressionism! It captures not just the visible, but the felt. Marie died at just twenty-five, her diary found popularity. So, do we read "Georgette" differently knowing more about the painter, or perhaps understanding Georgette might provide insights to Marie's mindset instead. Food for thought. Editor: Indeed. Thanks. I'll look at portraits a little differently from now on.