Au cercle (1908)
Technique: Giclée quality print
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Jean Béraud's evocative 1908 painting, "Au cercle," offers a vivid glimpse into the bygone era of Parisian club life at the turn of the century. The scene is set within the opulent interiors of a gentleman's club, where the rich and influential of Paris society gather. Béraud masterfully captures the dense, sociable atmosphere with a crowd of well-dressed men, many sporting the traditional top hat, engaged in animated conversation and perhaps awaiting their turn at the baccarat table.The central focus is a group of men clustered around a green-lit gaming table, their attention keenly focused on the game. The richly illuminated lights cast bright pools that glow against the dark ambience of the club, highlighting the intense focus and quiet drama of high stakes gambling. Subtly rendered in the background are luxurious golden wall panels and classical frescoes, which further accentuate the exclusivity and opulence that characterized such elite gatherings.Béraud’s use of lighting and detail not only spotlights the social dynamics and fashion of the era but also subtly critiques the culture of leisure and privilege.
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Jean Béraud was a French painter renowned for his numerous paintings depicting the life of Paris, and the nightlife of Paris society. Pictures of the Champs Elysees, cafés, Montmartre and the banks of the Seine are precisely detailed illustrations of everyday Parisian life during the "Belle Époque". He also painted religious subjects in a contemporary setting.