Portrait of my daughter

Portrait of my Daughter from 1884 is a later return to the intimate subject Ribot had treated in 1875, showing the same sitter nine years on — now a young woman rather than a girl. The comparison between the two works, both held at the Museum of Fine Arts of Reims, offers a rare opportunity to trace not only the passage of time in the sitter's face but also the subtle evolution in Ribot's technique over nearly a decade. By 1884 Ribot was in his late fifties, his reputation secure, his style somewhat loosened from the tight tonal discipline of his earlier years. The 1884 portrait reflects this maturity — more fluid in its execution, more relaxed in its emotional register.

Compared to the 1875 portrait, the 1884 work shows a slightly freer handling — looser in the hair and clothing passages, more assured in its placement of highlights. The tonal approach remains consistent, but years of practice have allowed Ribot to achieve his effects with less visible labor.