Artist Review | ‘The Blue Room’ by Suzanne Valadon

The painting ’The Blue Room’ dates back to 1923, yet feels completely ahead of its time. Valadon skilfully captures a familiar image of a reclining woman, but reinterprets it in a contemporary modern way. The scene depicts a woman of ample proportions lounging on a bed, adorned with intricately patterned fabrics. She assumes the familiar pose of a classic reclining nude, yet she is clothed, wearing casual loose striped pyjamas and a strappy top, exuding a woman who is relaxed and comfortable.

This portrayal of a woman feels authentic and refreshing, and moves away from the conventional depictions of women who were often objects of sexualisation in patriarchal and classical nude art. There is no trace of idealisation in this reclining figure; her ample breasts naturally rest upon her stomach, symbolising a woman uninterested in conforming to societal standards of beauty. She exudes confidence and ease in her posture.

The woman’s subtle eye makeup and lipstick, along with her hair tied back in a modest bun, hint at a sense of self-care and personal expression. With an unlit cigarette between her lips, she appears lost in contemplation, detached from the gaze of the viewer. Two books laid beside her suggest an awareness of her intellect and agency as a woman with rights in society.

The varied hues and tones in the woman’s skin, influenced by the colourful reflections from the headboard behind her, give a sense of vitality and strength. The subtle imperfections in her skin further emphasise her humanity, portraying her as a real woman rather than an idealised fantasy.

It seems as though Valadon aimed to redefine the concept of the reclining nude, presenting a modern, relatable portrayal of womanhood that celebrates authenticity and individuality.

Let me know what you think of this painting in the comments below. Let’s start a discussion.

_{(Image source: Suzanne Valadon, “The Blue Room” (La chambre bleue), 1923. Public domain image via Wikimedia Commons)}

Learning from Suzanne Valadon’s The Blue Room

_{Exploring Suzanne Valadon’s techniques – The Blue Room. My version above was created with pastel and coloured pencil on paper.}

Suzanne Valadon’s The Blue Room (1923) captivated me with its bold portrayal of a woman who appears completely at ease, confident, relaxed, and uninterested in conforming to traditional beauty ideals. To get a better sense of Valadon’s technique, I created a drawing based on a section of the painting.

This process helped me step into her artistic mindset. I was especially drawn to her use of colour in the skin. The raw, patchy, and uneven textures and tones, with touches of redness that make the figure feel alive and real.

Although I focused mainly on the figure, I was also inspired by the casual clothing in the original (the striped pyjamas and a strappy top), which to me adds to the model’s sense of comfort and presence. Exploring Valadon’s approach has deepened my appreciation for expressive colour and honest representation, and it’s something I’ll carry forward in my own art practice.

If you appreciate this blog post, please leave a comment in the comments section below. Lets start a discussion about Suzanne Valadon’s artworks.