The Lady at the Manicure (Portrait of m-lle Girmond) (1917) Nikolay Feshin (1881-1955)

The composition presents a woman engaged in what appears to be a beauty treatment, specifically a manicure. She is positioned centrally within the frame, her gaze directed upwards and slightly off to one side, suggesting a state of introspection or perhaps mild distraction. The artist has rendered her with loose brushstrokes, creating an impressionistic effect that softens the edges and contributes to a sense of immediacy.
The woman’s attire consists of a dark, possibly velvet, coat or shawl draped over her shoulders. This garment is painted with thick impasto, adding textural richness and visual weight to the upper portion of the image. Her hands are prominently displayed, held close together in front of her, drawing attention to the manicure itself – an act that signifies leisure and affluence. The light catches the nails, highlighting their polished surface.
The background is rendered with a similarly expressive technique, utilizing warm tones of orange, yellow, and brown to suggest a salon or parlor setting. Vague shapes hint at other patrons or objects within the space, but these remain indistinct, serving primarily as an atmospheric backdrop rather than elements of focused narrative.
Subtleties in the woman’s expression convey a sense of melancholy or quiet contemplation. The downturned mouth and slightly closed eyes suggest a mood that is not overtly joyful, hinting at complexities beneath the surface of her seemingly privileged existence. The overall effect is one of capturing a fleeting moment – an intimate glimpse into a private ritual within a world of refined tastes.
The painting’s style evokes a sense of modernity, reflecting the changing social dynamics and aesthetic sensibilities of the early twentieth century. It moves beyond a straightforward portrait to explore themes of identity, leisure, and the subtle nuances of human emotion.