Steinlen, Theophile Alexandre. Ball in the suburbs of Paris Hermitage ~ part 11

The artwork presents a scene of communal revelry within what appears to be a modestly sized hall or dance venue situated outside a major urban center. A throng of figures dominates the composition; they are engaged in dancing and socializing, their forms rendered with loose, expressive lines that suggest movement and energy. The color palette is muted, primarily consisting of earthy tones – ochres, browns, greens – with touches of blue and yellow to highlight certain areas.
The artist has positioned a couple at the focal point, caught mid-waltz. Their attire indicates a working-class or lower middle-class status; the women wear simple dresses and hats, while the men are in dark suits and caps. The figures surrounding them are similarly dressed, contributing to a sense of shared social standing. A band is visible on a raised platform at the rear of the hall, though its members remain indistinct, their presence serving more as an atmospheric element than individual portraits.
The lighting is uneven, with pools of illumination from overhead chandeliers casting shadows across the floor and highlighting certain faces within the crowd. This creates a sense of depth and dynamism, while also contributing to the overall atmosphere of intimacy and warmth. The background fades into a hazy indistinctness, suggesting the limited space and perhaps hinting at the transient nature of such gatherings.
Beyond the immediate depiction of a social event, the work seems to explore themes of community, leisure, and class dynamics. There is an underlying melancholy present; the muted colors and loose rendering suggest a certain fragility or impermanence in this moment of joy. The setting outside the city proper implies a desire for escape from urban life, while also highlighting the limited opportunities available to those on the margins of society. The artist’s choice to depict ordinary people engaged in everyday activities suggests an interest in documenting the lives and experiences of the working class.