La soiree

About this work

This engraving shows four people in a moonlit forest at night. One woman lies on the ground, reaching out to another who stands nearby. A third woman holds a staff and looks upward, while the fourth sits on a rock, watching the scene. The trees are dark and tangled, with a bright moon shining through the branches. Notice how the artist used shading to create depth—dark lines make the figures stand out against the lighter background. The poem below hints at a story about beauty and love, but the picture tells it without words. Want to see more like this? Check out the National Gallery of Art, Washington.