An Old Woman with a Rosary
- Artist: Paul Cezanne
- Date: about 1895-6
- Medium: oil on canvas
- Museum: The National Gallery
- Collection record: The National Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is the An Old Woman with a Rosary painted in the French south. It's a captivating portrait of an elderly woman, believed to be a former nun who had escaped from a convent and was taken in by Paul Cezanne. She can be seen holding a rosary, which might give us some insight into her background and faith.
Notice how the artist has used loose brushstrokes and vivid colors to create a sense of depth and emotion in the painting. The old woman's expression is contemplative, as if lost in thought. Her attire and posture convey a sense of simplicity and modesty.
On closer inspection, you might notice that the lower left-hand corner of the painting has been damaged by splashed water or steam. This could be due to the fact that the artist was working on it near his studio's pipe, which was dripping at the time. Despite this, the overall impact of the piece remains powerful and evocative.
Painted around 1895-6, An Old Woman with a Rosary is a testament to Cezanne's skill in capturing the essence of his subjects. It's a remarkable work that invites us to reflect on the story behind the painting and the artist's intentions.
See it in person
An Old Woman with a Rosary hangs in The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
