Female Figure in Red c. 1900

Ramón Casas made this sketch of a fashionable woman in red with crayon, chalk, and charcoal, probably in the late nineteenth or early twentieth century. Casas was a key figure in the Catalan Modernista movement, and his work often captured the social types and fleeting moments of Barcelona's vibrant urban life. This image presents a stylish woman, her elaborate dress and hat suggesting affluence, set against a faintly sketched backdrop of what appears to be a public promenade. The rapid, sketch-like quality lends the scene an air of spontaneity, as if capturing a passing moment. Casas's artwork often reflected the social dynamics of his time, particularly the contrast between tradition and modernity, and the evolving roles of women in society. To fully appreciate Casas's art, one might delve into periodicals and photographs, exploring the cultural context that shaped both the artist and his subjects.