La Loge 

Jean Béraud created “La Loge” with oil paint, using brushes to apply the pigments to a canvas surface. The rich texture and deep red color of the woman’s dress are achieved through layers of paint, while her elaborate attire speaks to the skilled labor involved in creating fashionable garments for the wealthy. Notice the man’s tailored suit, a marker of his social standing. The very act of attending the theater and displaying oneself in a private box or "loge" underscores the economic disparity of 19th-century Paris. Béraud's work provides insight into the society of the time. It prompts us to think about how class and labor are represented within the art. By focusing on the materiality of the painting and its social context, we can see beyond the surface of the artwork. We can recognize the intricate relationship between art, society, and economic structures.