Gallery Edition – A portrait of a woman, thought to be Sarah Bernhardt by Alfred Stevens – 44×58 Interior Architectural Study

Curatorial Narrative Alfred Stevens’ “A portrait of a woman, thought to be Sarah Bernhardt” is an exemplary representation of the Impressionist movement’s preoccupation with capturing the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere. Painted in a masterful impasto technique that imbues the subject with a tactile, three-dimensional presence, this work exemplifies Stevens’ unique ability to infuse his compositions with a sense of modernity, while still honoring the traditional tenets of figurative painting. The dark tones that dominate the palette are juxtaposed with flashes of white and red, which inject a sense of dynamism into the otherwise subdued atmosphere. As one considers the spatial rhythm established by Stevens’ placement of the subject against a background of deep shadow, it becomes apparent that this work operates on multiple levels: as a portrait, as an exploration of atmospheric effect, and as a testament to the artist’s i