Evening Dream

The painting of Alphonse Osbert that we present today is a captivating work that shows the fascination of the Symbolist movement with dreamlike atmospheres and mystical themes. Osbert's painting invites viewers into a serene, twilight world imbued with profound tranquility and introspection.

The painting shows two women enveloped in a landscape that blurs the boundaries between reality and imagination. The figures are depicted in contemplative poses; one can possibly be a representation of a muse (with a harp) or a personification of the evening itself. One figure is embracing the other, who is gazing into the distance or perhaps inwardly, reflecting the Symbolist interest in the inner workings of the human mind and soul. Osbert painted these two women many times in other similar scenes.

Osbert's mastery of color and light plays a crucial role in Evening Dream, with the use of soft, muted tones that suggest the fading light of dusk. The predominant use of blues, purples, and gentle oranges creates a harmonious palette that enhances the painting's ethereal quality. This subtle gradation of color, combined with a delicate treatment of light, bathes the scene in a supernatural glow, evoking the fleeting moments between day and night, consciousness and dreams.

How does this painting make you feel? It is an important question to ask yourself as you engage with the piece. You can learn more about it in our free online course! 

P.S. Can you guess in which century this painting was created just by looking at it? Yes? No? Test yourself in our When Was This Made quiz?