Paris, 1875. In a salon with light wood paneling, a young woman concentrates on her crochet work. Giovanni Boldini captures the moment with a spontaneous elegance that is already his signature. On the floor, a child plays among colorful fabrics. The scene breathes bourgeois tranquility.
A Virtuoso of the Brush
Boldini displays his full technical mastery here. Rapid, visible brushstrokes create a luminous vibration on the canvas. The patterned carpet explodes with red, yellow, and blue. The young woman’s gray ruffled skirt seems to quiver. Her pink satin shoes catch the light.
The Italian painter works with a nervous, almost Impressionist touch that heralds his future virtuoso style. Textures dialogue: the softness of fabric, the sheen of satin, the richness of the Persian carpet.
The Paris of Cosmopolitan Artists
Settled in Paris since 1871, Boldini joined the colony of Italian artists conquering the French capital. He then painted numerous interior scenes intended for Parisian collectors. His model, Berthe, regularly posed for him in these intimate compositions.
The artist captures the feminine leisures of the bourgeoisie: reading, strolling, needlework. These works met with immediate success among a wealthy clientele seeking elegant, contemporary scenes.
Giovanni Boldini
Giovanni Boldini (1842-1931) trained in Florence before conquering Paris. His nervous, brilliant style would make him the most sought-after society portraitist of the Belle Époque. This canvas already announces his future virtuosity.
Think about it
💭 Observe how Boldini transforms a mundane moment into visual poetry. What does this scene reveal about feminine roles and bourgeois leisure in the 19th century?
About This Work
- Young Woman Crocheting
- Giovanni Boldini
- 1875
- Oil on canvas
- 36.2 × 27.4 cm
- The Clark Art Institute, Williamstown
- https://www.clarkart.edu/ArtPiece/Detail/Young-Woman-Crocheting
