Scène Du Bal 

Jean Béraud captures a fleeting moment from a ball in this painting with oil on canvas. A visual rhythm is set through the contrasts between the dark suits and the light gowns, creating an immersive atmosphere that pulls you right into the party. The composition here is structured around a play of contrasts: the foreground figures are sharply defined, acting as a screen through which we view the hazy, indistinct background of dancers. This division creates a sense of depth, but also poses questions about what is being highlighted and what is intentionally blurred. The artist uses colour to draw our eye; the reds and pinks of the room and the women’s dresses pop against the sea of black suits. Béraud, through his construction of space and the ambiguous gazes of his subjects, invites us to consider the performative aspects of social gatherings and the subtle power dynamics at play. This work provides a window into a bygone era, but its clever manipulation of perspective ensures its relevance endures.