Wikimedia Commons • Public Domain
Portrait of Marguerite Khnopff
GenrePortrait
Artwork Details
Cite or Embed This Work
APA · MLA · Chicago1-click academic citation and embeddable “On View” museum badge for articles, syllabi, and research.
Fernand Khnopff completed this Portrait of Marguerite Khnopff in 1887, a full-length oil on canvas (mounted on wood) measuring 96 x 74.5 cm. The work depicts his beloved sister standing before a closed door, looking away from the viewer. Khnopff always cherished this portrait, illustrating what many describe as an obsessive relationship.
Marguerite became Khnopff's primary model after an incident with another model. She represents his ideal woman: beautiful yet out of reach, present yet emotionally distant. Her averted gaze and folded arm create psychological tension. Some scholars see inspiration from the Greek goddess Athena, adding mysticism to the composition.
In 1889, Khnopff created "Memories," a pastel showing seven women playing tennis, all modeled after Marguerite in different poses from photographs. When she married in 1890 and moved away, Khnopff felt profound loss. The portrait belongs to the King Baudouin Foundation and hangs at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium in Brussels, a key work of Symbolism.
More by Fernand Khnopff
View all →P
Portrait of Jeanne Kefer
Fernand Khnopff
Getty Center, Los Angeles
I
I Lock My Door Upon Myself
Fernand Khnopff
Bavarian State Painting Collections, Munich, Munich
W
Who Shall Deliver Me?
Fernand Khnopff
Private Collection, Unknown
T
The Caresses
Fernand Khnopff, 1896
Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Brussels
Also at Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp
View all →P
Portrait of Mr Soons
Lawrence Alma-Tadema
Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp, Antwerp
T
The Oyster Eater
James Ensor
Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp, Antwerp
P
Pope Alexander IV Presenting Jacopo Pesaro to St Peter
Titian
Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp, Antwerp
T
The Daughters of Cecrops finding the child Erichthonius
Jacob Jordaens
Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp, Antwerp
Related Works
Works that share an artist, movement, museum, genre, palette or theme with Portrait of Marguerite Khnopff.
- Same genre
Portrait of Emilie Flöge
Gustav Klimt
- Same genre
Portrait of Marie Breunig
Gustav Klimt
- Same genre
Degas portrait in the Uffizi
Gustave Moreau
- Same genre
Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer II
Gustav Klimt, 1912
- Same genre
Arnolfini Portrait
Jan van Eyck, 1434
- Same genre
Las Meninas
Diego Velázquez, 1656
- Same genre
A Bar at the Folies-Bergère
Édouard Manet, 1882
- Same genre
American Gothic
Grant Wood, 1930
- Same genre
Arrangement in Grey and Black No.1
James McNeill Whistler, 1871
- Same genre
Mona Lisa
Leonardo da Vinci, 1503
- Same genre
Olympia
Édouard Manet, 1863
- Same genre
Portrait of Dr. Gachet
Vincent van Gogh, 1890
About Portrait of Marguerite Khnopff
Portrait of Marguerite Khnopff is displayed at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium in Brussels, located in Antwerp, Belgium.
Marguerite was Khnopff's beloved sister and primary model. She represented his ideal woman in many works You can see it at Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp.
Her averted gaze creates psychological tension, suggesting she is out of reach, present yet emotionally distant from the viewer It's at Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp.
Own Art Like This
Luxury wall art with the same mood and energy. Gallery-quality canvas, no museum crowds.
Browse Collection