Young Girl in Green by Tamara de Lempicka (Interpretation and Analysis)

Young Girl in Green
Source: The Culture Project

You may not know it, but when you think of paintings of the Art Deco movement, you’re likely picturing the work of Polish painter Tamara de Lempicka. De Lempicka—a rather eccentric artist—is well known for her trademark style that incorporates elements of cubism with the streamlined simplicity of the Art Deco movement. She was particularly known for her paintings of strong women, and Young Girl in Green may be the best known example of her work.

The painting depicts a young woman in a striking green dress and a white hat and gloves. She seems to be gazing at something outside the frame and her left hand reaches forward as if to grasp something, giving the painting a sense of energy and spontaneity.

De Lempicka’s Young Girl in Green is a tribute to the flappers of the 1920s and 30s, a set of bright young women who were challenging social conventions and leading the charge for equality. The girl in green is one of these new women. In her painting, De Lempicka throws traditional ideas of depicting women out the window. The girl is not a Madonna or a serene Renaissance lady. Instead, she has a gritty edge; the girl’s face is serious, features sharp. She clearly understands the world and has made plans for herself. The girl in green is a person with places to go and people to see; the viewer only catches a glimpse of her as she rushes past.

Disclaimer: I’m not an art historian or an expert on this topic. The above is my opinion, based on my interpretation of my foreknowledge of art and history. If I’ve done any additional research, I’ll note it above.