Une Soirée Anseremme 1876

Félicien Rops made "Une Soirée Anseremme" as a sketch using graphite on paper. Rops situated himself as a leading artistic figure in Belgium during a period defined by burgeoning industrialization and the rise of the bourgeoisie. The sketch gives us an intimate glimpse into Rops's world, where scenes of leisure and society mingle with his personal reflections. Une Soirée Anseremme captures a moment of respite, likely set in the countryside of Anseremme, as suggested by the sailboats in the image. However, Rops was known for his exploration of erotic and macabre themes, so even in this pastoral scene there are underlying societal critiques. The juxtaposition of figures and landscapes might reflect Rops’s own internal dialogues, or even his commentary on the human condition amidst a rapidly changing world. What do you feel as you study the contrasting images? Does the artwork provide you with a sense of harmony or dissonance?