After the Ball 1874

"After the Ball" by Alfred Stevens, painted in 1874, depicts a scene of two women, likely friends or sisters, in a dimly lit interior. The artist uses a delicate brushstroke to capture the intricate details of their elaborate dresses and the luxurious fabrics surrounding them. The scene is charged with a sense of intimacy and emotion, emphasizing a shared moment of sadness or contemplation, likely after a grand social event. Stevens's masterful use of light and shadow creates a poignant mood, capturing the quiet aftermath of a ball. This work showcases Stevens's skill in depicting the emotional complexities of the upper classes in 19th-century society.