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Portrait of Jeanne Kéfer

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Portrait of Jeanne Kéfer
Portrait of Jeanne Kéfer (1885)
ArtistFernand Khnopff
Year1885 (1885)
MediumOil on canvas
Dimensions80 cm × 80 cm (31.5 in × 31.5 in)
LocationJ. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles

Portrait of Jeanne Kéfer is a portrait by Fernand Khnopff, painted in 1885.[1] Currently housed and exhibited in The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles.[2]

History

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A five-year-old Jeanne Kéfer was a daughter of the artist's friend, pianist Gustave Kéfer.[3] The painting had been scheduled to be showcased at Les XX, 1885, in Brussels, but Khnopff had not managed to finish it, and the exhibition took place in 1886. The painting received positive critic reviews.[4]

Description

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Jeanne Kéfer is depicted standing on a porch before a closed door with her thumb catching the edge of her bow as she reaches into her coat. The portrait symbolizes the child's vulnerability and uncertainty in facing the outside world. The message is emphasized by the composition itself as the Jeanne's body is framed against the adult-sized door.[5]

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References

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  1. ^ Fernand Khnopff. Wiki.cultured.com. Retrieved 2014-07-27.
  2. ^ Khnopff, Jeanne Kéfer Archived 2014-07-28 at the Wayback Machine. Khanacademy.org. Retrieved 2014-07-27.
  3. ^ Portrait of Jeanne Kefer (1885) by Fernand Khnopff (Belgian 1858 - 1923). Flickr.com. Retrieved 2014-07-27.
  4. ^ Fernand Khnopff: Portrait of Jeanne Kéfer. Getty Publications. Retrieved 2014-07-27.
  5. ^ Jeanne Kéfer Archived 2013-10-01 at the Wayback Machine. Getty.edu. Retrieved 2014-07-27.