19th-century French painting · art-to-room palette

The Pink Dress (Albertie-Marguerite Carré, later Madame Ferdinand-Henri Himmes, 1854–1935) Color Palette & Paint Colors

This palette is built from dusty rose, blush, sand, and deep brown, taken from Berthe Morisot's The Pink Dress, ca. 1870. It suits rooms that want warmth without bright color, such as a bedroom, living room, or reading nook.

Quick answer

Use the blush shade (LRV 53) on the walls and the dusty rose taupe on textiles like curtains or a sofa. Add the dark umber on one accent, such as a door or built-in, and use the honey ochre on wood trim or furniture.

Artist: Berthe Morisot
Date: ca. 1870
Movement: 19th-century French painting
Collection: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Image license: Public domain (CC0)
Wall color LRV: 53

The Pink Dress (Albertie-Marguerite Carré, later Madame Ferdinand-Henri Himmes, 1854–1935) by Berthe Morisot — Berthe Morisot, *The Pink Dress (Albertie-Marguerite Carré, later Madame Ferdinand-Henri Himmes, 1854–1935)*, ca. 1870. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, open access. The bar shows each color's measured share of the canvas.

The 6 colors in this painting

Measured from the image and ordered by how much of the canvas they cover. LRV is how much light a color reflects, from 0 for black to 100 for white.

Dusty rose taupe

#A98E89 · 27.8% · LRV 30

Deep espresso brown

#372E24 · 25.6% · LRV 3

Soft blush beige

#DAB9AC · 23.1% · LRV 53

Dark umber brown

#463A28 · 19.3% · LRV 5

Muted sandstone beige

#B5A280 · 2.7% · LRV 37

Old honey ochre

#967A44 · 1.4% · LRV 21

Where each color lives in the painting

Left, every pixel of the canvas snapped to its nearest palette color. Right, the detail where each color is strongest.

The Pink Dress (Albertie-Marguerite Carré, later Madame Ferdinand-Henri Himmes, 1854–1935) reduced to its palette colors — The same scene in 6 flat colors.

Detail of the painting where Dusty rose taupe is strongest — Dusty rose taupe

Detail of the painting where Deep espresso brown is strongest — Deep espresso brown

Detail of the painting where Soft blush beige is strongest — Soft blush beige

Detail of the painting where Dark umber brown is strongest — Dark umber brown

Detail of the painting where Muted sandstone beige is strongest — Muted sandstone beige

Detail of the painting where Old honey ochre is strongest — Old honey ochre

Closest paint colors

The nearest color from each brand. “Near-identical” and “Very close” are hard to tell apart on a wall; with “Similar”, compare a sample with the painting. Brands with nothing close are left out.

Painting color	Closest paints	LRV	Use it for
Dusty rose taupe `#A98E89`	Behr PPU17-15 Cameo Rose Very close Sherwin-Williams SW 9078 Cocoa Berry Close Valspar 2001-9C Wild Frontier Close Farrow & Ball No. 295 Sulking Room Pink Close	30	One small textile
Deep espresso brown `#372E24`	Behr 780B-7 Bison Brown Similar Sherwin-Williams SW 6006 Black Bean Similar Farrow & Ball No. 256 Pitch Black Similar Valspar 6011-1 Fired Earth Similar	3	Small accents, art, accessories
Soft blush beige `#DAB9AC`	Behr MQ1-23 One To Remember Very close Valspar 1007-10B Sunset Curtains Very close Sherwin-Williams SW 6051 Sashay Sand Close Farrow & Ball No. 231 Setting Plaster Close	53	Main walls
Dark umber brown `#463A28`	Behr S-H-710 Dried Leaf Close Sherwin-Williams SW 9183 Dark Clove Close Valspar 6010-2 Deep Earth Similar Farrow & Ball No. 256 Pitch Black Similar	5	One bold piece
Muted sandstone beige `#B5A280`	Sherwin-Williams SW 9122 Dried Edamame Very close Behr HDC-CT-07 Country Cork Very close Valspar 3006-9C Glowing Dune Very close Farrow & Ball No. 17 Light Gray Similar	37	Bed, sofa, curtains
Old honey ochre `#967A44`	Sherwin-Williams SW 6405 Fervent Brass Very close Behr S280-6 Hazel Very close Valspar 3005-9A Magic Lamp Close	21	Wood and frames

Paint names belong to their brands. Matches are measured from screen colors and are approximate; Light & Pigment is not affiliated with any paint brand.

How soft blush beige looks in your light

The wall color shifted for the light it will live in. Check the version closest to your room before buying a sample.

North-facing room#C4B2AE

In north light the blush wall looks cooler and a little grayer. It still reads light, so it keeps the room from feeling closed in. Pair it with warm wood tones to balance the cooler light.

South-facing room#E2C3B0

In strong south light the blush wall looks warm and soft, with its red-orange undertone more visible. Bright sun can make the room feel lively, so keep the dark accents to a few well-placed spots.

Evening, warm lamps (2700K)#BD9B80

Under warm evening bulbs the blush wall takes on a rosy glow, and the dusty rose textiles blend into it. This is when the deep brown and umber shades look richest, so the room feels calm and enclosed.

Try the palette in a room

Pick which painting color goes on the walls, the big furniture and the bold piece. Floors, shadows and light follow your choices.

Walls

Bed, sofa, island

Bold piece

Wood takes Old honey ochre and the rug border takes Dusty rose taupe in every combination.

Mood board

Details from the painting next to the colors and materials that carry them into a room.

Soft blush beige

Muted sandstone beige

Dark umber brown

Linen

Oiled oak

Lime plaster

Aged brass

Palette card for The Pink Dress (Albertie-Marguerite Carré, later Madame Ferdinand-Henri Himmes, 1854–1935)

Save this palette

A card with the painting, all 6 colors and a room scheme. Pin it, or take it to the paint store.

Save to Pinterest Download card

Guides that use colors from this painting

Boho Bedroom Colors Boho style

Pink Bathroom Paint Colors Measured From Paintings Pink · Bathroom

East Facing Bedroom Colors That Work in Morning and Afternoon Light East-facing · Bedroom

More palettes like this

The Millinery Shop Hilaire Germain Edgar Degas, 1879-86

Auvers, Panoramic View Paul Cezanne, 1873–75

An Egyptian Peasant Woman and Her Child Léon Bonnat, 1869–70

FAQ

Which color should I use on the largest wall?

Use the soft blush beige (LRV 53) on the largest wall. Its light value keeps the room bright without the glare of a white. The darker shades work best on smaller areas.

Can I use the dark brown shades in a small room?

Yes, but use them in small amounts. A single dark umber accent, such as a door or a shelf, adds depth without making the room feel smaller. Avoid covering all four walls in the deepest espresso brown.

What finish works best with these colors?

Matte or eggshell finishes suit these warm, muted shades best. They hide small wall flaws and keep the color soft. Glossier finishes can make the deep browns look harsh under bright light.

Image: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Public domain (CC0). Palette, posterized image, details and room views generated by Light & Pigment from that image. Colors look different on screen than on a wall, so always test a sample.