Richard Bloos Lot n° 117

Richard Bloos Ball scene at the Moulin Rouge 1912 Oil on canvas. 127.5 x 88.5 cm. Framed. Signed and dated 'Richard Bloos Paris 1912' in brown lower right and titled 'Moulin-Rouge' in black. - Verso in the lower right area with a small restoration not visible on the front. Provenance Galerie Schwarzer, Düsseldorf; private collection, Northern Germany Richard Bloos was one of the most important representatives of the Düsseldorf school of painting around 1900. After completing his studies at the art academy, he moved to Paris in 1906, where he lived until 1914. Under the influence of his encounter with French Impressionism, he developed a light and spontaneous style of painting characterized by loose colouring. The large-format ball scene from the Moulin Rouge impressively demonstrates Bloos' talent for vividly staging the moment. His skillful composition creates a maelstrom that draws the viewer directly into the action. The eyes of the other dancing couples seem to be searching for him.