Artwork
One scene of a wedding: ladies dining with the bride,
One scene of a wedding: ladies dining with the bride, is a paint painting by the Impressionist artist Unknown. It dates from 1880 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. The work presents an interior banquet arranged in a horseshoe of three long tables that stretch into depth.
About this work
Overview
The work presents an interior banquet arranged in a horseshoe of three long tables that stretch into depth. Guests are seated along the tables, surrounded by crockery, while lanterns suspend from the ceiling, casting a warm glow over the scene. A bride in a red garment stands centrally, flanked by family members, with two dogs playing near the floor, adding a lively domestic touch.
Subject & Meaning
The composition records a wedding celebration, emphasizing communal dining and festivity. The bride’s prominent red attire signals her central role, while the surrounding figures—both guests and servants—illustrate the social hierarchy and collaborative effort of the ceremony. The inclusion of playful dogs underscores the convivial atmosphere and domestic intimacy of the event.
Technique & Style
The artist employs bold, saturated hues—particularly reds and blues—to convey energy, while precise linear outlines define furniture, clothing, and architectural elements. The clear delineation of forms and meticulous attention to detail in textiles and tableware create a realistic yet stylized representation, characteristic of late‑19th‑century narrative painting.
History & Provenance
Originally part of a larger album comprising thirty‑five paintings that depicted various ceremonial processions, this piece entered a numbered series after being purchased from the dealers Parsons & Sons in 1898. It remains in the collection that acquired the series, retained as a numbered entry within that archival set.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
Giacomo and Cardinal Marco, investing Andrea, Abbot of San Zeno, with his Benefice
The Nymph of Fontainebleau
Portrait of a Woman
Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden
Venus and Minerva
Family Group of Four on Sofa
Wall painting from Room H of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale
