Study of a Seated Woman Seen from Behind (Marie-Gabrielle Capet)

"Study of a Seated Woman Seen from Behind (Marie-Gabrielle Capet)", a beautiful drawing by Adélaïde Labille-Guiard, invites us to contemplate the elegance of a fleeting moment captured in time. Created in 1789, this piece, part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, measures 0.48 meters in height and 0.52 meters in width. nn Labille-Guiard masterfully employs black and white chalk on brown paper to depict a woman seated with her back towards us. The mystery of her hidden gaze draws us in, while her profile, turned to the right, reveals a delicate beauty. A white cloth partially covers her dark hair, echoing the luminous white of her dress. Notice the subtle details, like the tear-drop earring adorning her ear, which adds a touch of refinement to her persona. nn The artist skillfully manipulates light and shadow, suggesting a light source from the upper left. This illuminates the woman's back and the right side of her face, while her back head and the left side of her face remain in shadow, creating a sense of depth and volume. The uniform brown background further emphasizes the figure, making her the focal point of the composition. nn This intimate portrait, while seemingly simple, speaks volumes about Labille-Guiard's talent in capturing the essence of her subject with remarkable sensitivity and skill.