Mademoiselle De Maupinmademoiselle De Maupin 1902

Jean Lecomte du Nouÿ made Mademoiselle De Maupin at some point in the late 19th century, painting with oils on canvas in a style which is meticulous in its realism. The surface has a definite sheen, and the light that streaks across the scene feels almost palpable. It makes me think about the way painters like du Nouÿ built up layers of transparent glazes, almost like a photographic process in slow motion, in order to catch the light just so. Check out how du Nouÿ handles the fabrics and the skin of the figure: see how the light seems to emanate from within, giving everything a soft, almost dreamlike quality? It makes me think about artists like Ingres, who were masters of capturing the sensuality of form through light and shadow. It is a vision where art is not just about what we see, but about how we feel when we see it.