Ready for the fancy dress ball 1879

Alfred Stevens, a Belgian painter, made this oil on canvas. He captures a genre scene of upper-class life, likely in France during the mid-19th century. The painting offers insight into the domestic sphere of the bourgeoisie, with careful attention to the material culture of the time. The fashionable clothing, decorative arts, and the figures themselves, create a sense of social identity. We see the influence of Japonisme in the background screen and interior decoration, reflecting the fashion for all things Japanese that swept Europe at the time. This vogue speaks to France's increasing global reach and imperial ambitions. The painting provides a glimpse into the values and aspirations of a particular social class during a period of significant social and economic change. By studying the art and material culture of the period, we gain a deeper understanding of the complex forces that shaped the modern world. We might begin by researching fashion trends of the time, import/export records, or publications on taste.