“La Dame en Jaune” — Woman in Yellow at the Seaside, Alfred Stevens

She has dressed for a sea crossing or an afternoon at the shore — the pale yellow satin gown, the long dark gloves, the cream shawl, and above all the hat with its defiant pink plume suggest someone who takes the wind into account but refuses to be diminished by it. Alfred Stevens placed her on a bench with a blue parasol across her knees and a vessel on the horizon behind, and the mood is one of composed, private thought.

"La Dame en Jaune" (c. 1885) is among Stevens's most recognisable coastal compositions — the balance of warm gown against cool sea air made it a touchstone for his late career. Part of the Alfred Stevens collection by Zolota Ptakha, 10×15 cm on 350 g/m² cardstock, ideal for sending or framing.