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Desperate, by Alfred Stevens, oil, 1873

Desperate

Alfred Stevens

1873

oil

From the collection of Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp

Dominant colour

Overview

Desperate is a 1873 oil by Alfred Stevens, held at Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp.

Who painted this?
Alfred Stevens
When & what style?
1873
Where can I see it?
Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp

About this work

This painting depicts a woman sitting in a chair, dressed in a formal, off-the-shoulder gown with a ruffled bodice and a full skirt. Her hair is styled in an updo, adorned with flowers. The woman's expression is somber, and she wears a necklace and earrings. A table with a lamp and a bust of a woman are visible behind her. The woman's attire and the setting suggest a formal occasion, but her expression implies a sense of unease or distress. The overall mood of the painting is subdued, with muted colors dominating the palette. The artist's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and volume in the painting, drawing the viewer's attention to the woman's face and figure. If you're interested in exploring more works that utilize this technique, look up chiaroscuro.

About the artist

More by Alfred Stevens

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