19th-century Archives - Page 4 of 13

La petite écolière (The Little Schoolgirl) (1879)

William Bouguereau (French, 1825–1905)

A young girl clutches her books, her gaze steady yet distant. The folds of her dress catch the light, soft against the muted background. There’s something unspoken in her posture—not quite reluctance, not quite resolve—just the quiet weight of a child stepping into an unseen world.
Walt Whitman (1889)

John White Alexander (American, 1856–1915)

Whitman’s beard spills like wild grass over his collar, his gaze steady but distant. The light catches the folds of his coat, rough and lived-in. There’s weight in his stillness—not just a man, but a presence. You can almost hear the low rumble of his voice.
A Beauty In Eastern Costume

William Clarke Wontner (English, 1857–1930)

A woman draped in rich Eastern fabrics gazes past the viewer, her delicate features framed by intricate jewelry. The folds of her gown catch the light, hinting at movement frozen in time. There’s a quiet intensity in her distant expression, as if lost in thought just beyond the canvas.
Portrait de Madame Charles Chaplin (1863)

Charles Chaplin (French, 1889–1977)

A young woman gazes past the viewer, her delicate features framed by soft curls. The lace at her collar catches the light, contrasting with the rich darkness of her dress. There’s a quiet intensity in her expression—neither melancholy nor joy, but something poised between the two.
A Greek Woman (1869)

Lawrence Alma-Tadema (English, 1836–1912)

A Greek woman stands in profile, draped in flowing white linen. Her fingers lightly touch a marble column as sunlight catches the folds of her garment. The air feels still, heavy with the warmth of an afternoon long past. Every detail whispers of quiet dignity and unspoken stories.
A Classical Beauty

Léon François Comerre (French, 1850–1916)

A young woman gazes past the viewer, her delicate features framed by cascading curls. The soft glow of her ivory skin contrasts with the rich, dark background, lending an air of quiet elegance. Her poised expression hints at unspoken thoughts, drawing the eye to linger.
The Fruit Seller

Victor Gabriel Gilbert (French, 1847–1935)

A woman arranges ripe peaches in her market stall, their golden skins catching the morning light. Around her, baskets overflow with cherries and plums, their colors vivid against the worn wood. The air hums with quiet commerce, the simple rhythm of daily life unfolding in this corner of the marketplace.
An Interesting Story (Miss Ray) (1806)

William Wood (English, unknown)

A young woman leans forward, lips parted as if mid-sentence, her eyes alight with some unspoken tale. The folds of her dress catch the light, soft shadows pooling around her eager posture. There’s mischief in her expression—whatever story she’s telling, you’d lean closer to hear it.
Bedouin girl (1891)

Luis Ricardo Falero (Spanish, 1851–1896)

A Bedouin girl stands poised, her gaze steady and enigmatic. The folds of her garment catch the light, hinting at movement in the desert wind. There’s a quiet strength in her stance, an unspoken story lingering just beneath the surface.