Meditation c. 1872

Alfred Stevens painted "Meditation" in France at a time when Japanese art and design had become extremely popular. The woman's robe, printed with flowers, and the vague, screen-like background, indicate the influence of Japanese art. But notice the title: "Meditation." This is an active woman, who is also a thinking woman. Stevens invites the viewer to ask: What is she thinking about? Does the artist seek to establish a new public role for women in his art? As historians, we can consider how the answers to those questions are contingent on the social and institutional context in which the painting was made, and study the ways in which the image creates meaning through visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations. Research into the artist's life and his critical reception are invaluable resources for understanding this painting better.