Ready for the Ball 

Alfred Stevens captures a moment of poised anticipation in this painting, "Ready for the Ball." Our attention is immediately drawn to the mirror – a symbol of vanity but also of self-awareness and reflection. The mirror motif has a rich history, appearing as early as ancient Greece. In those times, it served as a tool for philosophers to contemplate the nature of perception and reality. Think of Narcissus, who wasted away staring at his own reflection, a cautionary tale, isn't it? Here, the woman's engagement with her mirrored image speaks to a broader human fascination with identity and self-presentation. It is not just about physical appearance, but also about the performance of the self. The way she positions herself, hand on hip, suggests a careful orchestration of her public persona, a moment pregnant with expectation and perhaps a hint of anxiety. This resonates with the primal, almost subconscious, human desire to be seen, to be admired. And doesn't that desire echo through centuries of art and life?