Chinese Pavilion. Jealous - Alexandre Benois

This watercolour and gouache work by Alexandre Benois, titled 'Chinese Pavilion. Jealous', captures a scene of intrigue on a pavilion overlooking a Venetian canal, with figures in period costume enacting a silent drama.

Alexandre Benois (1870-1960) was a Russian artist, art critic, historian, and stage designer. He was a founding member of the Mir iskusstva (World of Art) movement, which sought to promote aestheticism and integrate art into all aspects of life. Benois is particularly known for his work with the Ballets Russes, for which he designed sets and costumes that were celebrated for their historical accuracy and artistic flair. His artistic style often combined historical themes with elements of fantasy and theatricality. 'Chinese Pavilion. Jealous' depicts a scene set on a pavilion overlooking a body of water, possibly in Venice, given the presence of a gondola. The pavilion, with its Chinese-inspired roof and lantern, is the setting for a dramatic encounter. Inside, silhouettes suggest a gathering, while a man in 18th-century attire stands at the edge of the pavilion, gesturing with an expression of distress or surprise. Outside the pavilion, a couple is seen in what appears to be a clandestine meeting. The overall atmosphere is one of intrigue and implied narrative, typical of Benois's ability to evoke a sense of story within a single image. The colour palette is muted, with the warm glow of the pavilion contrasting against the cool tones of the night sky and water.