Jean François Raffaëlli (French, 1850-1942)

The influence of the Impressionist artists who were close friends to Raffaëlli, such as Edgar Degas, Mary Cassatt and Camille Pisarro, can be clearly seen in this work by Raffaëlli. The execution of the work is in itself Impressionistic with its quick brushstrokes and the subject matter of contemporary life infused with a certain psychological element reminds us of other works by these artists. Despite disagreements with Degas and Raffaëlli's growing success in the official world of the art establishment, Raffaëlli remained close to Pisarro and Cassatt throughout his career.
Raffaëlli studied at the Ecole des Beaux Arts under the great French painter Jean-Leon Gerome. He was limited solely to painting until 1876, when he undertook his first etching. After this, he dedicated himself to printmaking.
Works by Raffaëlli can be found in the following museums among others: Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, NY; Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY; National Gallery, Oslo, Norway; Kroller-Muller National Museum, Otterloo, the Netherlands; National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; Louvre, Paris