Misia at the Piano

• Edouard Vuillard (1868–1940)
• 1895 or early 1896
• Oil on cardboard
• Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
• (1975.1.224)

The subject of this work, Misia Natanson, was the wife of Thadée Natanson, who published a leading cultural and artistic journal in 1890s France. The couple were important patrons of Edouard Vuillard. Renowned for her accomplished piano playing and strong stage presence, Misia captivated Vuillard as well as many other artists. In this painting, she is shown playing the piano in her home. The dark, subdued lower half of the composition contrasts with the upper section, filled with intricately patterned wallpaper.