Les Visiteuses (1881)

Discover the elegant charm of the 19th-century bourgeois life in Alfred Stevens' painting "Les Visiteuses." This striking 1881 artwork portrays an intimate and genteel scene of social visitation among women in a richly decorated interior. The setting is a room adorned with ornate furniture, reflective of the luxurious tastes of the time.In this carefully composed tableau, three women and a young child are depicted. The central figure stands in a flowing light blue dress, engaging in conversation with a seated woman on the right, who is dressed in a delicate pink gown and attends to a small child. Another standing figure, arrayed in a cream-colored dress and appearing to be either entering or leaving the room, completes this scene of quiet domesticity.The room itself is filled with eclectic décor, featuring Asian-inspired furniture, vases, and wall decorations that suggest a fashionable interest in exotic and lavish styles prevalent among the affluent during this era. The artwork captures not just the fashions and interior designs of the time but also the societal norms and the subtle interplay of social grace and femininity.Alfred Stevens, renowned for his detailed and nuanced portrayal of indoor scenes, illustrates both the beauty and the restrained dynamics of social interaction in 19th-century Parisian society through "Les Visiteuses.