Portrait of Marcelle Mezieres Nine Years Old Henri Lebasque

The composition presents a young girl seated in a chair, rendered with a characteristic softness and diffused light. She appears to be approximately nine years old, her gaze directed towards the viewer with a quiet intensity. The artist employed a palette dominated by muted blues, greens, and creams, creating an atmosphere of gentle tranquility.
Here we see the subject dressed in a white dress accented with black ribbon at the waist and neckline; the fabric is suggested through delicate brushstrokes rather than precise detailing. Her hair, styled with a bow atop her head, frames a face marked by large, expressive eyes. The chair itself appears to be part of an interior setting, indicated by the blurred suggestion of a wall behind it, punctuated by patches of green and blue.
The application of paint is loose and impressionistic; outlines are softened, and forms blend into one another. This technique contributes to a sense of immediacy and captures a fleeting moment in time. The brushwork is particularly evident in the rendering of the background, which lacks sharp definition and seems to dissolve into the surrounding atmosphere.
The inscription marcelle and 1896 are visible at the top of the composition, providing contextual information about the subject and date of creation. This inclusion subtly shifts the work from a purely aesthetic exercise to a personal record, imbuing it with an element of intimacy. The positioning of these words, however, also serves to integrate them into the overall visual field, preventing them from becoming intrusive labels.
Subtly, there is a sense of restrained formality in the pose and attire of the girl, suggesting a portrait commissioned by her family. Yet, the relaxed posture and direct gaze convey an underlying vulnerability and individuality that transcends the conventions of traditional portraiture. The overall effect is one of quiet observation, capturing not just the likeness of a young girl but also a sense of her inner world.