Young Girl in a Lilac Tunic

Young Girl in a Lilac Tunic from around 1780 is one of Greuze's signature expressive heads, combining an appealing color scheme with the wistful expression that collectors found irresistible. The lilac garment adds a note of fashionable color to the composition, distinguishing it from the more commonly white-draped figures. Characteristic of the artist's mature approach, the work displays theatrically posed figures, expressive faces registering emotion with unsubtle directness, a palette ranging from Rococo pastels in early works to colder, more sober tones after the Revolution.

The lilac tunic is rendered with subtle color variations that complement the warm flesh tones, while the girl's expression is achieved through careful manipulation of the eyes and mouth.