The Umbrella

There's little information surrounding this painting. The artist's diary entries suggest the painting is of a little girl from a local orphanage. On 23 August 1882, she wrote, “I’ve been out walking, looking for pictures. I’ve gone twice to the orphanage. The director is already a friend, and the children crowded around me on the second visit for the bonbons I was handing out.” She began painting The Umbrella shortly after, per her letter dated 29 August 1882, “I’m painting a little girl with her black skirts over her shoulders and an open umbrella. I work outside and it rains constantly.”