Le Petit Lever 1876

Eva Gonzales painted "Le Petit Lever" using oil on canvas, capturing an intimate scene bathed in soft light. The composition is structured around the interplay of gazes and reflections, where a woman tends to another’s hair, both figures framed by the mirror’s ornate rectangle. The hazy brushstrokes and muted palette create a dreamlike atmosphere, emphasizing the transient nature of the moment. Gonzales deftly employs a double portraiture by using the mirror’s reflection to explore themes of identity and representation. Semiotically, the mirror acts as a signifier, not just reflecting an image but also suggesting deeper psychological depths. The unposed naturalism of the scene, combined with Gonzales' formal techniques, destabilizes traditional portraiture, challenging notions of fixed identity. Through her mastery of light and composition, Gonzales offers a glimpse into the private world of women, while questioning the traditional representation of women in art. This painting remains open to interpretation, reflecting the evolving discourse on identity, representation, and the gaze.