[La Comtesse in robe de piqué or as Judith (?)] 1860s

Pierre-Louis Pierson's *[La Comtesse in robe de piqué or as Judith (?)]* is a small, delicate watercolor depicting a woman in a white dress with an elaborate trim. The woman is posed next to a green curtain with a pillow, and her head is resting on her hand, creating a sense of melancholy and introspection. The work's title, coupled with the woman's attire and pose, suggests a scene of mourning, or perhaps a theatrical character study. The artist's use of soft colors and subtle details imbues the piece with a sense of intimacy and fragility. Pierson, who lived from 1822 to 1913, was known for his portraits and genre scenes, often capturing everyday life and social customs of the 19th century. The work, dated to the 1860s, is currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.