Meditation (Seated Woman) c. 1878 - 1879

Adolphe Monticelli likely painted this oil on panel, *Meditation (Seated Woman)*, in France sometime in the mid-19th century. It depicts a young woman with a jug, lost in thought. Monticelli was associated with the Marseilles School, a group known for its expressive use of color and impasto. This emphasis on painterly technique was partly a reaction to the academic art institutions that dominated French art at the time. His paintings often featured figures in idyllic settings, evoking a sense of romanticism and escape. This aesthetic aligned with the social and political climate of the time, a period of rapid industrialization and social change. The idealized figures may have been a form of escapism. By studying archival records, exhibition catalogues, and critical reviews, we can gain a deeper understanding of the artist's intentions and the reception of his work. Ultimately, the meaning of Monticelli’s art lies in its complex relationship with the social and institutional forces that shaped its creation and reception.