Before bedtime 

Delphin Enjolras painted this piece, "Before Bedtime," during an era when artistic and social norms were rapidly changing. The artwork invites us into the private world of a woman, illuminated by soft, warm light, as she reflects on a letter. Enjolras presents a narrative that both adheres to and subtly challenges the traditional representations of women. While the setting is intimate and the woman is depicted in a state of undress, she is not objectified but instead is portrayed as a figure of contemplation and interiority. The gaze she casts upon the letter, combined with the room’s quiet ambiance, suggests a moment of emotional depth and personal reflection. This piece encourages us to consider the complex relationship between visibility and privacy, representation and reality, in women's lives during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The emotional resonance of the artwork speaks to the timeless human experiences of love, longing, and introspection.