Alsatian Girl
Medium
oil on wood
Dimensions
overall: 27.2 x 18.7 cm (10 11/16 x 7 3/8 in.) framed: 43.2 x 35.6 cm (17 x 14 in.)
Classification
Painting
Department
CF
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Chester Dale Collection
Accession Number
1963.10.32
Rights
Public Domain
Art Historical Context
**Alsatian Girl** (1873) by Jean Henner captures the delicate beauty of a young woman from the Alsace region in this intimate oil-on-wood, measuring just 27. x 18.7 cm. Painted shortly after the Franco-Prussian (1870–71), when France lost Alsace-Lorraine to Germany, the evokes a sense of regional and quiet resilience. Henner, born in Alsace, often depicted ethereal female figures with luminous skin and dark hair, drawing from academic traditions influenced by Ingres. The choice of wood as a support—uncommon for large-scale oils but ideal for portable, detailed portraits—allowed Henner to achieve a smooth, refined finish, emphasizing the girl's serene expression and traditional attire. This technique highlights his mastery of light and flesh tones, hallmarks of his style that earned acclaim at the Paris Salons. Now in the National Gallery of Art's Chester Dale Collection, **Alsatian Girl** stands as a poignant reminder of cultural ties amid historical upheaval, inviting viewers to ponder the personal stories behind grand events.