“The Hidden Side of a Whist Party” is an engraving created by Felicien Rops in 1886. This artwork is an illustration from “Les Diaboliques” by Jules Amédée Barbey d’Aurevilly. A notable representation of the Symbolism art movement, this piece belongs to the illustration genre.
The artwork portrays a spectral, elegantly dressed woman with a skull-like face, clasping her hands together in a haunting manner. She wears a dark, long, flowing gown that contrasts starkly with her skeletal visage, which draws the observer’s focus. The somber composition is characterized by meticulous line work, which gives texture to the dark background and the figure’s attire. Lying at her feet is another skeletal form, enhancing the eerie atmosphere. The setting is minimally detailed, suggesting an ominous and mysterious narrative, in keeping with the Symbolist tradition of delving into darker, psychological themes and exploring the hidden sides of human experience. The phrase “Les cartes d’une partie de whist” is faintly visible in the background, hinting at the theme of deception and hidden truths associated with a whist party.
