19th C. Painting (Theme: Human Emotions)

Describe:

This painting portrays a somber, meditating woman with defined, passive lines, complex shape, and darker colors. The value is darker towards the center and lighter at the top.

Analyze:

Emphasis: The emphasis in this painting is on the woman, particularly her posture.
Proportion: This painting is about 3/4 darker (positive) color and 1/4 lighter (negative).
Movement: The casual figure of the woman makes the painting seem very static. The slope of the hills and the negative space just above her head moves your eye towards the woman.
Balance: Since the woman is in the middle, this painting is symmetrical.
Unity: The blanket in the middle adds a visual interest and the background pulls it together.

Interpret:

I think Baptiste was depicting a woman not just sitting there idly, but thinking intellectually-defying the social norm of her time this women were just meant to cook and take care of children. She has a somber look on her face, maybe because she wishes to be something more than a housewife.

The Meditating Woman by Jean Baptiste, 1868. This painting depicts a woman thinking with a slouched posture and a somber expression to communicate the emotion of sadness or melancholy.

Source: artstor.org