Jeunes femmes au bord du lac 

Delphin Enjolras, active during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, painted “Jeunes femmes au bord du lac” capturing an intimate moment of bourgeois leisure. The painting, created during a period of significant social change, invites us to consider the role of women in a rapidly modernizing world. The three women are gathered at night by the water, around a table with a tea set and roses. Are they participating in traditionally feminine activities or forming bonds of solidarity and support? The painting complicates the traditional male gaze by focusing on women's relationships. It leaves us to consider the dynamics of their relationships, their aspirations, and their challenges. The soft lighting, tranquil setting, and elegant attire evoke a sense of beauty and refinement, but perhaps also a touch of melancholy. These young women and their place at this table prompt reflections on societal expectations, personal desires, and the complex interplay between the individual and the collective.