Georges Desvallières captures a moment of worldly reverie with rare sensitivity. The portrait of Madame Pascal Blanchard, executed in a subtle chromatic range dominated by ivory and gold tones, immerses us in the hushed atmosphere of a Belle Époque soirée.
The young woman, dressed in a pearly white gown with silky reflections, is caught in a moment of contemplation, her delicate profile standing out against a luxurious backdrop of classical columns.
The painter’s vaporous, almost evanescent touch gives the scene a dreamlike dimension, while the precious details—the floral diadem, the art objects arranged on the console—testify to the refinement of this aristocratic world. The artist excels here in the art of atmospheric portraiture, creating a work that transcends mere representation to achieve a truly poetic evocation of Parisian high society.
Further Information
- In the Evening – Madame Pascal Blanchard, by Georges Desvallières, 1903
- 150 x 107 cm
- Paris Musées, Petit Palais, Museum of Fine Arts of the City of Paris
- https://www.parismuseescollections.paris.fr/fr/petit-palais/oeuvres/en-soiree-madame-pascal-blanchard
Georges Desvallières (1861-1950) was one of the most singular artists of his generation. A close associate of Gustave Moreau, he studied at the École des Beaux-Arts. He developed a unique style that married worldly elegance with profound spirituality. Born into Parisian high society, he frequented the most prestigious artistic circles of his time, notably the Julian Academy where he formed a friendship with Pascal Blanchard.
His career took a mystical turn after the First World War, but his portraits from the preceding period, of which this is an example, demonstrate his ability to capture the essence of the refined society of the Belle Époque.
