Femme au balcon 

Henri Lebasque made this watercolor and charcoal work, "Femme au balcon", sometime during his lifetime. It depicts a woman standing on a balcony, gazing out at a coastal view. The scene evokes a sense of middle class leisure, a common subject among Impressionist painters such as Lebasque, in late 19th and early 20th century France. The loose brushstrokes and bright palette are characteristic of the period, reflecting a shift away from academic painting towards a more modern, immediate style. These choices weren't merely aesthetic. Impressionists like Lebasque sought to capture fleeting moments and sensations of contemporary life. The very act of painting outdoors, "en plein air," was a deliberate break from the confines of the studio, symbolizing artistic freedom and a move towards direct engagement with the world. By studying exhibition records, personal letters, and critical reviews, we can gain a deeper understanding of the artist’s role in shaping cultural values of the time. Art history isn’t just about the artwork, but it helps us to understand the wider socio-political context.