Woman Seated beside a Vase of Flowers (Madame Paul Valpinçon?)
Painting on canvas • Edgar Degas
Style & Movement
Impressionism / Realism transition
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas, employing a combination of precisely drafted realism and more fluid, gestural brushwork in the floral arrangement and background
Creation Period
1865 (though signature date reads 1872)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 73.7 x 92.7 cm (29 x 36.5 in); Horizontal/Landscape orientation (though the current image appears cropped to a square/vertical aspect)
Subject Description
The composition features a woman seated on the left, pushed toward the edge of the frame, gazing off-camera. A large, dominant vase of colorful flowers occupies the right foreground. The off-center arrangement is a hallmark of Degas's interest in Japanese prints and candid snapshots of modern life.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good; the work shows stable pigment but characteristic age-related craquelure and slight yellowing of varnish
Estimated Market Value
$40,000,000 - $60,000,000 USD (Estimate based on institutional provenance and importance)
Auction Estimate
$35,000,000 - $55,000,000 USD
Provenance History
Formerly in the collection of the Valpinçon family; purchased by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1929 via the H. O. Havemeyer Collection
Art Historical Significance
A pivotal work illustrating Degas's radical departure from traditional portraiture. By subordinating the human sitter to the still life, Degas challenged the hierarchy of genres and anticipated the modern 'snapshot' aesthetic.
Notable Features
Features the artist's signature 'Degas' and the date '1872' in the lower left corner, despite reaching its primary state around 1865. The vase is identified as a Chinoiserie pitcher.
Condition Issues
Visible surface craquelure throughout; possible slight darkening of the blue pigments in the tablecloth; minor frame abrasions on the lower left
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain in a climate-controlled environment (50% RH, 20°C). UV-filtering glazing is recommended for display to prevent further varnish degradation.