Through the keyhole 

Alphonse Mucha, a Czech artist, created "Through the Keyhole" with watercolor. Mucha’s work existed within a society undergoing significant shifts in gender roles, particularly in urban environments like Paris, where he achieved fame. "Through the Keyhole" offers a glimpse into the private life of a woman, framing her through an object associated with secrecy and voyeurism. Mucha’s depiction of women often treads a fine line between celebrating female beauty and objectifying women for the male gaze. The woman's attire—a corset and a fancy hat—speaks to the performative aspects of femininity during the late 19th century. It invites questions about privacy, access, and the male gaze in shaping female identity. The small format and intimate subject matter of the painting draw the viewer into a sense of closeness, an emotional tension between admiration and intrusion. Mucha’s images ask us to consider how cultural narratives around femininity and desire shape our perception of individuals.