Red Haired Woman in Profile 

Jean-Jacques Henner painted this study of a red-haired woman in profile using oil on canvas. It’s a striking image, dominated by warm tones against a dark background, evoking a sense of mystery. Henner's technique is worth noting. He uses a sfumato effect, with soft, blurred outlines that blend the figure into the background. The face is illuminated, highlighting her delicate features, while the rest of the composition fades into shadow. The focus on color and light is typical of Henner's academic training. Yet, the simplification of form, with an emphasis on tonal contrasts, nods to modernity. The woman's gaze is introspective and detached. Henner's decision to crop the figure closely makes the portrait feel intimate, yet distant. The woman becomes an object of aesthetic contemplation, embodying a tension between presence and absence. This ambiguity encourages ongoing interpretations of beauty and representation.