Portrait De Jeune Femme 1875

Armand Guillaumin rendered this portrait with pastel on paper. The texture of the artwork is striking because the dry medium sits on the surface of the paper. Pastels allowed the artist to build up layers of color, creating a vibrant and luminous effect, although pastels are often associated with the delicate touch of Impressionism, Guillaumin’s bold strokes give the work a modern edge. The immediacy of pastel lends itself to capturing fleeting moments and impressions, in line with the Impressionist movement's interest in capturing contemporary life, it's worth noting that pastel sticks were commercialized during the 18th century, making them more accessible to artists. This rise in availability coincided with a growing market for portraiture, reflecting the increasing wealth and consumerism of the middle class. The industrial production and consumption of art materials highlights the complex relationship between art, labor, and commerce in 19th-century France.