À l’Aube (detail) 1875

Charles Hermans painted this segment of 'À l’Aube' using oil, and it strikes us with its dynamic arrangement and realistic texture. The composition centers around a man in a black suit and a woman in a ruffled dress, embraced amidst a crowd. The colour palette, dominated by muted tones, creates a sense of dissipation and early morning haziness. Hermans uses the material qualities of oil paint to build up the scene, each brushstroke contributing to a sense of realism. Light plays an important role, subtly illuminating the figures to emphasize certain features. The artist’s structural choices direct our attention to the central pair, whose interaction becomes a focal point. The painting challenges social conventions, hinting at themes of love and moral ambiguity. The choice of colors, the arrangement of figures, and the textures all work together to create a feeling that goes beyond just what we see. It challenges fixed meanings, inviting viewers to participate in an ongoing dialogue about society, morality, and representation.