Lovers in an Arbor c. 1895

Henri-Gabriel Ibels captured this intimate moment with pastel on paper. The hazy scene depicts a couple embraced beneath leafy cover, a table set for a simple meal before them. Ibels created this artwork at a time when societal norms dictated strict rules around courtship and public displays of affection, particularly for women. Consider the tension between the clandestine nature of the tryst and the artist’s choice to immortalize it. The woman, with her flowing hair and light dress, embodies a certain romantic ideal, yet the setting suggests a departure from the formal spaces typically associated with courtship. We can imagine the lovers stealing a moment away from the watchful eyes of society. The artwork reframes traditional notions of romance by prioritizing personal experience. Ibels invites us to reflect on the quiet rebellions that occur when individuals seek connection outside of societal expectations.