Girl Combing her hair Harold Gilman (1876-1919)

The composition presents a young woman engaged in a private, intimate act – combing her hair. She is positioned centrally within the frame, viewed from behind and slightly angled towards the viewer. The posture suggests a moment of solitude, perhaps contemplation or quiet self-care. Her head is bowed, obscuring her facial features, which contributes to an overall sense of anonymity and invites projection onto the subject.
The artist’s handling of paint is notable. Thick impasto strokes dominate the surface, creating a textured and vibrant visual field. The color palette leans heavily on variations of red, purple, and yellow, applied in short, broken brushstrokes that evoke a shimmering quality. This technique lends an immediacy to the scene, as if capturing a fleeting impression rather than a meticulously rendered portrait. Light appears to emanate from behind the figure, bathing her hair and shoulders in a warm glow while leaving the foreground areas in relative shadow.
The background is indistinct, suggesting an interior space with what appear to be decorative elements – possibly wallpaper or patterned fabric – rendered in broad strokes of yellow and orange. The lack of detail in the surroundings further emphasizes the focus on the figure and her activity. A glimpse of a dark object, potentially a chair or piece of furniture, can be seen at the lower left corner.
Subtextually, the painting explores themes of introspection and femininity. The obscured face encourages viewers to consider their own interpretations of the woman’s thoughts and emotions. The act of combing hair is often associated with rituals of beauty and self-presentation, but here it seems stripped of any performative element, suggesting a more personal and vulnerable moment. The vibrant color scheme and energetic brushwork contribute to an atmosphere that is both sensual and melancholic, hinting at the complexities of inner life. The overall effect is one of quiet intensity, inviting prolonged observation and reflection on the subject’s private world.