Heures Du Soir. Mme. Menessier-Nodier c. 1830

Curator: This watercolor and print, "Heures Du Soir. Mme. Menessier-Nodier," was crafted around 1830 by Achille Devéria. The Minneapolis Institute of Art is lucky to have it. I see a figure in waiting, about to make an entrance—or perhaps simply pausing before departing? Editor: There's such a feeling of poised stillness. The muted palette lends this image a bittersweet romanticism. It speaks of an era bound by stringent societal norms, where self-expression found quiet, subtle outlets. Do you get that feeling, too? Curator: Absolutely. And observe how Devéria uses light. The subject gazes out the window, yet there's also a subtle theatricality in how she's framed, almost staged. I am fascinated by the gaze of the portrait’s sitter—there is a dreamlike quality to it. Is she daydreaming? Editor: Her clothing, too, whispers volumes. The excessive ruffles and detailed hat indicate both high social standing, as does the posture of her gloves. Yet there is also something performative here—she is posing. Are we to see this painting as commenting on gender and performance? Curator: Possibly! I can almost smell the expensive perfume. Consider also that the scene she contemplates outside offers so little clarity or specific location: the real setting here is arguably interior. What’s going on inside *her* head, that is. Editor: Indeed, it beckons us to ask what’s just beyond the surface. There’s a palpable sense of expectation, maybe a hint of melancholy or unease. It raises crucial questions, too, regarding class and the roles afforded—or imposed upon—women. Curator: You are so right. It also challenges us to rethink our preconceptions about art’s role and beauty within a historical framework. How far have we come from such constraint, and how much further must we journey? Editor: Looking at it, one starts wondering. What does it mean to inhabit spaces where gender, race, and class intersect? But it seems like art always provides such fertile grounds for discussion and transformation. Curator: Ultimately, “Heures du Soir” embodies the simple elegance of captured thoughts, offering itself generously while leaving much open to our personal experience. Editor: A quiet rebel, frozen in time! And one that resonates in unexpected ways in our current moment.