Lady in the mirror with a fan 1882

Pericles Pantazis created this oil on canvas painting to depict a lady in front of a mirror, holding a fan. Looking closely, you can see how Pantazis applied thin layers of paint, and how this treatment endows the painting with a sense of movement and light. The brushwork is loose and expressive, and especially apparent in the rendering of the woman's white dress, a popular color for the upper class. The artist used the textures and subtle variations in tone to capture the effect of light and shadow on the dress's delicate fabric. This approach aligns with the Impressionist movement's interest in capturing fleeting moments and sensory experiences. It's important to recognize the skill and artistry involved in Pantazis's practice. His careful attention to detail, from the way light plays across the woman's figure to the subtle reflections in the mirror, elevates the painting beyond a mere depiction of a fashionable woman. It becomes a meditation on beauty, perception, and the complex relationship between art and the world around us.