Date

1888

Origin

France

Medium

Oil on canvas

Dimensions

90.5 × 72 cm (35 5/8 × 28 3/8 in.)

Credit

Lacy Armour Fund, Dellora A. Norris Fund, through prior gift of Mr. and Mrs. Chauncey B. Borland, Josephine and John Louis Fund, purchased with funds provided by of John and Alexandra Nichols

Like Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Anquetin's work focused on modern life, particularly Parisian nightlife. This painting depicts an unescorted woman—unusual at that time—walking through the garden of the Élysée Montmartre, a dance hall in Montmartre. Who she is remains a mystery, but her unusual printed dress and extravagant hat, more theatrical than fashionable, suggest that she might be an off-duty performer.