Devastated by the death of his young son in 1881, de Pury moved to the small town of Chioggia, near Venice, in 1885, where he spent his summers. During this period, he began to paint picturesque Italian subjects. The young woman in Rosaire (Chioggia) is depicted holding a rosary and a prayer book. However, instead of reading it, she gazes outwards. This moment of distraction questions the simplicity of the composition and the piety and candor of the female figure, creating a contemplative atmosphere. As if suspended outside time, she seems intent on revealing something secret.
This work was also presented at MBAL during the exhibition Le plaisir du texte (2023).
Oil on canvas, on loan from the Swiss Federal Art Collection, inv. FK 2016
