Le Coup De Vent (1891)

Welcome to a captivating visual story embracing nature's whims. "Le Coup De Vent" (The Gust of Wind), painted by Alfred Stevens in 1891, is a striking depiction of a woman caught in the instant turbulence of a windstorm. The title captures the essence of the painting—a sudden gust unsettling both the subject and the viewer.In this remarkable work, the central figure, a young woman dressed in an elegant late 19th-century navy blue walking suit, battles against a strong sea breeze. Her pose is dynamic and filled with movement—bracing herself by holding onto a now-collapsed umbrella, which the wind has turned inside out. The strong winds have also lifted her hat, secured by a mere ribbon, and unsettle her hair, emphasizing the unexpected and forceful nature of the gust.Accompanying her, and equally impacted by the gust, is her loyal dog, a brown Irish Setter, looking up attentively at its master, possibly as bewildered by the wind as she is. The backdrop features a tumultuous sea and a dark, stormy sky, elements that echo the tempestuous mood of the scene.Stevens' use of sharp, realistic details in the attire of the woman and the expressive pose of both human and animal creates a vivid narrative moment that is instantly relatable—anyone who has ever struggled with an umbrella in the wind can empathize with the subject's plight.