L’attente (Avant Le Bal)
Technique: Giclée quality print
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More about this artwork
This striking work by Belgian artist Alfred Stevens, titled "L’attente (Avant Le Bal)" or "The Wait (Before the Ball)", encapsulates a serene moment of anticipation. The painting showcases a young woman in an opulent, softly lit room adorned with classic decor. Her fine attire, a gracefully draped pink and baby blue gown embellished with floral details, hints at the festive occasion she is preparing for.The subject stands beside a small table, her posture slightly turned as if captured in mid-movement. She holds a fan in one hand and lightly touches a mask with the other, suggesting both the physical and emotional preparation involved in attending a grand ball. The background features a pastoral painting within a painting, evoking depth and reflecting the external world she is momentarily apart from.Stevens’ masterful rendering of textures—from the woman’s delicate lace gloves and satin dress to the richly decorated golden table—invites the viewer to linger on each detail. The overall mood is one of quiet expectation, bridging the private elegance of her surroundings with the public spectacle that awaits her.