#44301 Leon Jean Basile Perrault

The painting presents a young girl in a close-up portrait format. She is positioned against a plain, light background that allows for focus on her features and attire. Her gaze is directed towards the viewer, conveying a sense of quiet introspection rather than direct engagement. The artist has rendered her with meticulous attention to detail; skin tones are subtly layered, suggesting both vulnerability and resilience.
Her hair, a rich auburn color, cascades around her shoulders, partially obscuring a simple garment – a white blouse with a lace collar and what appears to be a worn shawl draped over one shoulder. A thin red ribbon is tied in her hair, providing a small splash of color against the darker tones of her locks.
The girl holds two bunches of flowers: one composed of purple blossoms clutched delicately in her hand, and another larger arrangement of orange-red blooms held loosely at her side. The contrast between the muted colors of her clothing and the vibrancy of the flowers is striking. This juxtaposition might suggest a connection to nature or symbolize innocence amidst hardship.
The overall impression is one of gentle melancholy. Theres an underlying sense of fragility, yet also a quiet dignity in her posture and expression. The artist’s choice to depict her with such realism – the slight imperfections in her skin, the wear on her clothing – hints at a narrative beyond the immediate visual representation. It suggests a life lived outside of privilege, perhaps one marked by labor or circumstance.
The signature L-Perrault - 1877 is visible in the upper right corner, providing a temporal anchor for the work and indicating its provenance within a specific artistic tradition.