Woman with a Fan (Portrait of Madame Degas)
Painting on canvas • Thérèse-Christine Degas-Morbelli (attributed) or Circle of Edgar Degas
Style & Movement
Impressionism / Tonalism, influenced by Japonisme
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas, utilizing soft atmospheric brushwork, thin glazes, and a tonalist approach to light and shadow.
Creation Period
Circa 1870-1880
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 60 x 80 cm; Landscape format
Subject Description
A seated woman in profile, dressed in a red gown with a white lace collar, holding a round Japanese-style Uchiwa fan against a warm, suffused pinkish-orange background. The composition emphasizes silhouette and mood over high-detail realism, reflecting the 19th-century interest in Japanese aesthetic motifs.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; visible surface texture indicates aging but the paint layer appears stable with minor surface grime.
Estimated Market Value
$40,000 - $75,000 (depending on definitive attribution confirmation)
Auction Estimate
$30,000 - $50,000
Provenance History
Likely originated from a private French collection; stylistic markers suggest an association with the Degas family or their immediate social circle in Paris during the late 19th century.
Art Historical Significance
Significant as an example of the intersection between familial portraiture and the Impressionist fascination with Japanese art. It captures the transition from traditional academic portraiture to a more modern, psychological exploration of the subject.
Notable Features
The use of the Uchiwa fan is a quintessential Japonisme element; the subdued palette and profile view are highly characteristic of the Degas school's psychological portraiture.
Condition Issues
Stable craquelure consistent with age, slight yellowing of varnish, and minor pigment fading in the warmer background tones.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional surface cleaning and a light varnish refresh. Display in a climate-controlled environment with UV-filtered lighting to prevent further pigment degradation.