Alfred Dehodencq
Little Girl
1844
Physical Qualities
Oil on canvas, Unframed: 29 9/16 × 19 1/2 in. (75.1 × 49.5 cm.)
Framed: 38 1/2 × 28 5/16 × 2 3/8 in. (97.8 × 71.9 × 6 cm.)
Credit Line
The George A. Lucas Collection, purchased with funds from the State of Maryland, Laurence and Stella Bendann Fund, and contributions from individuals, foundations, and corporations throughout the Baltimore community
Object Number
1996.45.80
Here, Alfred Dehodencq used bold, expressive brushwork and warm colors to capture the self-confident, almost challenging, stance of this unidentified girl. She holds a rustic straw basket closely with her right hand, suggesting she stands in a marketplace. Dehodencq’s fascination with painting people from diverse cultures began in his youth, following a series of visits to Algeria and Morocco. During the 1840s, he also traveled to Madrid, Spain, where he was deeply moved by the works of Diego Velazquez (1599–1660) on display at the Museo del Prado. Velazquez’s style may have contributed to Dehodencq’s own sensitivity as a portraitist.
The Baltimore Museum of Art by purchase, 1996; The Maryland Institute College of Art, through Henry Walters, Baltimore, by bequest 1909; from George A. Lucas, Paris
The Maryland Institute, Baltimore, 'Exhibition of The George A. Lucas Art Collection,' 1911, cat. #66.
BMA, 'Modern Painting Isms and How They Grew,' Jan.12 - Feb. 11, 1940.
BMA, 'The George A. Lucas Collection of the Maryland Institute,' Oct. 12 - Nov. 21, 1965, cat. #80.
BMA, '19th Century European Paintings,' June 24 - Sept. 7, 1969.
BMA Downtown Gallery, Baltimore, 'Selections from the Lucas Colection,' July 21 - Aug. 22, 1975.
Sona Johnston, The Baltimore Museum of Art, "A View Toward Paris: The Lucas Collection of 19th-Century French Art," October 1, 2006 - December 31, 2006.
BMA, 'Modern Painting Isms and How They Grew,' Jan.12 - Feb. 11, 1940.
BMA, 'The George A. Lucas Collection of the Maryland Institute,' Oct. 12 - Nov. 21, 1965, cat. #80.
BMA, '19th Century European Paintings,' June 24 - Sept. 7, 1969.
BMA Downtown Gallery, Baltimore, 'Selections from the Lucas Colection,' July 21 - Aug. 22, 1975.
Sona Johnston, The Baltimore Museum of Art, "A View Toward Paris: The Lucas Collection of 19th-Century French Art," October 1, 2006 - December 31, 2006.
Michael Archer. Composition: Uncover the ideas behind great works of modern art. London: Hachette, 2023. p. 213, ill.
Inscribed: FACE: BR, 'Alfred Dehodencq'. VERSO, FRAME: CL, (label), 'MAISON SPECIALE/D'ENCADREMENTS/ET DE DORURE/Estampes moderne/DANGLETERRE/Rue de Seine, 40 et 42/et rue de l'Echaudé, 1'
On View: Jacobs, Gallery 3
