La Boule Argentée

alfredstevens

figurative

fantasy art

character art

possibly oil pastel

underpainting

pastel chalk drawing

painting painterly

abstract character

surrealist

mixed media

watercolor

"La Boule Argentée" by Alfred Stevens is a painting that showcases a woman in a garden gazing into a crystal ball, a popular symbol of fortune telling during the 19th century. Stevens, a Belgian painter known for his depictions of fashionable society, captures the woman's fascination with the unknown, reflecting the anxieties and aspirations of the time. The intricate details of her dress and the surrounding foliage further highlight the elegance and beauty of the subject. This piece exemplifies the Romantic genre, using the female figure and nature as symbols of beauty and mystery.