Portrait of a Young Girl by Gustave Courbet

In this delightful “Portrait of a Young Girl”, Gustave Courbet moves away from his rustic or provocative subjects to offer a vision of absolute tenderness and freshness. The composition is centered on the bust of a child with a round and angelic face, whose flushed cheeks exude health and youth. Her large brown eyes, full of curiosity and sweet reverie, observe something outside the frame. She wears an elegant dark felt hat adorned with a ribbon and a rustic flower, which crowns her curly hair. She wears a large brown cape, closed by large buttons, topped by a dazzling white Peter Pan collar that illuminates her candid face. The light gray background, painted with light brushstrokes, creates a luminous and airy atmosphere, making this painting a timeless portrait of a child, of touching sweetness and truth.