Au Bal - Marguerite De Conflans En Toilette De Bal, 1870-80

Originally oil on canvas. This rapidly executed and delicately coloured sketch was sold with the contents of Manet?s studio in 1884. Large areas of the canvas have been left unpainted, but Manet managed to suggest the slight turn of the woman?s body and the outline of her dress with a few quick brush strokes. Behind the woman the profile of a second ? male ? figure is just visible. The sitter has been identified as Marguerite de Conflans, whose family had close ties with the Manets.