VICTOR GABRIEL GILBERT, 1890

Fascinated by the city of Paris, Victor Gabriel Gilbert sought to paint moments from the daily life of its residents, with a particular focus on market and outdoor scenes. While his work serves as a valuable record of 19th century architecture and fashion, it is equally remarkable for its atmospheric quality which captures the spirit of the age.

Gilbert rejected the dramatic style popular with artists of the Romantic movement, and joined the French Realists in depicting contemporary life in a more objective, authentic way. He represented people from all social classes, and did not shy away from showing the work as well as the leisure of life in the city.

Resting, however, is an unusual example of his work as it does not focus on the society or scenery of Paris but instead on a single woman, laying in a dark room. The subject and title of the painting do not make clear whether this is a portrait of a person who is sleeping or dead, though her black dress and stiff posing point to the latter.

Either way, the contrast in values between the pale figure of the woman with her dark clothing and surroundings make for a striking composition, while expressive brushwork shows the influence of the Impressionist style. Gilbert skilfully pairs the intensity of rich colour and texture with an inert, languid portrait in Resting to create an enigmatic mood that suspends the viewer in a moment of contemplation with the work.