A Woman Seated beside a Vase of Flowers (Madame Paul Valpinçon?)

The woman depicted in this painting is believed to have been the wife of the artist’s friend, Paul Valpinçon. Degas commonly spent parts of his summer at their country home, where he enjoyed his time sketching and painting. Madame Paul Valpinçon is seated near the side of the frame looking off into the distance. Her right arm is bent near the side of her face gently holding it and offering support. Lost in her thoughts, she is undoubtedly one of the famous Degas depictions of people caught in the moment. The artist seemed to more seized by the large bouquet of lovely flowers, however, than of the woman. The vase of flowers is incredibly large, holding a wide variety. As the painting is based in the countryside, it is likely that they were picked out in the gardens and fields and placed together as one inside.

P.S. If you would like to know more about Degas, don't miss our online course on Impressionism and here we have for you a zero-calorie dessert—aka Degas' most beautiful ballerinas! <3