Little Denise (Denise Maréchal, later Madame Georges Brück, 1883-1956)
Painting on canvas • Théo van Rysselberghe (Belgian, 1862–1926)
Style & Movement
Neo-Impressionism (Pointillism)
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas, executed using Pointillism (divisionism) involving the application of small, distinct dots of color that optically blend.
Creation Period
1889
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 55 x 35 cm (21 5/8 x 13 3/4 in); vertical portrait format.
Subject Description
A portrait of six-year-old Denise Maréchal standing against a wall in an interior. The composition features a fireplace mantle to the left and a framed picture hanging above. The child wears a light-colored dress with a wide black sash and dark stockings. The work captures a quiet, introspective moment using a rigorous technical approach to light and color.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent. The surface appears stable with vibrant color preservation and no obvious mechanical damage or structural deformation.
Estimated Market Value
$2,000,000 - $4,000,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$1,500,000 - $3,000,000 USD
Provenance History
Formerly in the collection of Robert and Berthe Leybaert, Brussels; later acquired by the Indianapolis Museum of Art (Newfields) through the Caroline Marmon Fesler Fund in 1958.
Art Historical Significance
A masterpiece of Belgian Neo-Impressionism. Van Rysselberghe was a leading figure of Les XX and instrumental in bringing Seurat's color theories to Belgium. This portrait is significant for its early adoption of the radical pointillist technique applied to the traditionally conservative genre of portraiture.
Notable Features
Features the signature dot technique of the Brussels school of Neo-Impressionists. The frame is a period-appropriate gilded wood structure that complements the luminance of the pointillist dots.
Condition Issues
Minimal aging visible; slight yellowing of varnish likely present but not distracting. No visible craquelure or paint loss indicated from the primary viewing distance.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain stable humidity (45-55%) and temperature. Display under UV-filtered lighting at low lux levels to prevent pigment degradation. Periodic professional inspection for varnish oxidation.