L'Extase 1896

Jean Benner's painting, "L'Extase," captures a woman in a state of profound spiritual absorption. Benner, working in the late 19th and early 20th century, was part of a world grappling with shifting religious and secular ideals. The woman, draped in simple white cloth, directs her gaze upwards, hands clasped. This posture and title invoke the historical and often gendered representation of ecstasy, often seen in depictions of female saints like Theresa of Avila. In these portrayals women's bodies become the site of divine experience. But what does ecstasy mean outside of a religious context? Benner invites us to consider the diverse ways in which women experience profound emotion. By focusing on her internal experience he suggests a space for personal liberation. The painting becomes a focal point for examining the complex interplay between societal expectations, religious fervor, and the individual quest for meaning and transcendence.