Delphin Enjolras (1857–1945) — Young Woman With A Lantern,

A rare and captivating work: the grace of an elegant young woman in a turbaned hat. This superb pastel presents an elegant young woman in a turbaned hat, bathed in the warm light of a lantern which she seems to animate with a delicate gesture. The scene, exquisitely poetic, captures all the freshness and brilliance of Belle Époque evenings. The circular glow of the lantern illuminates her face, her bodice, and the transparencies of her dress, revealing Enjolras's mastery of the pastel technique. The refined pose of the model, the softness of the colors, and the vibrancy of the light create a rare, seductive, and immediately captivating atmosphere. 72 cm – W. 52 cm (Small 1 cm indentation above the signature, without affecting the overall aesthetic.) This composition is all the more precious as Enjolras is primarily known for his subdued interior scenes: women by lamplight, by candlelight, in hushed salons. Here, he offers us a nighttime outdoor scene, much rarer in his work. The young woman is no longer merely contemplative: she experiences the light, she accompanies it, she makes it dance. This singularity makes Young Woman with a Lantern a sought-after painting, both decorative and collectible, perfectly suited to a town hall, a cultural institution, or a private collector wishing to acquire a refined and unusual piece. A brief reminder about the artist: Delphin Enjolras (1857–1945), trained in Paris by prestigious masters, is today recognized as one of the great virtuosos of pastel. His talent for capturing femininity, gentleness, and above all, light—candles, lamps, reflections—earned him an international reputation. While he excelled in interior scenes, outdoor works like Young Woman with a Lamp remain much rarer, which only enhances the interest and artistic value of this painting.