19th-century

The letter

Vicente Palmaroli y González (Spanish, 1834–1896)

A woman’s quiet moment with a letter, bathed in soft light, whispers of unspoken stories and emotions.
Pandora (1873)

Alexandre Cabanel (French, 1823–1889)

A luminous portrayal of Pandora poised at the edge of fate, her hesitation and the box’s dark promise rendered with haunting beauty.
Voyage autour du monde Pl.017 (1825-1830)

Louis-Isidore Duperrey (French, 1786–1865)

A captivating exploration scene brimming with maritime detail and the thrill of discovery.
Rough Work (1883)

Winslow Homer (American, 1836–1910)

A gritty, atmospheric depiction of manual labor, where brushstrokes and shadows convey both exhaustion and quiet perseverance.
The Proposal (1872)

William Bouguereau (French, 1825–1905)

A luminous portrayal of young love, where hesitation and hope intertwine amidst a sunlit countryside.
Knitting Girl With Headscarf (1885)

Eugen von Blaas (Italian, 1843–1931)

A young woman in a headscarf knits with quiet focus, her hands and the textures of wool and fabric rendered in vivid detail.
Madame Gautreau (Madame X) (c. 1883)

John Singer Sargent (American, 1856-1925)

A daring portrait of a woman whose defiant elegance scandalized Paris, blending luminous skin with dark, dramatic contrasts.
Portrait of Lady Agnew of Lochnaw (1865-1932)

John Singer Sargent (American, 1856-1925)

A mesmerizing portrait blending elegance and spontaneity, where light, texture, and gaze converge to reveal quiet charisma.
Voyage autour du monde Pl.026 (1825-1830)

Louis-Isidore Duperrey (French, 1786–1865)

A delicate exploration of discovery, blending scientific detail with the quiet poetry of distant shores.