Dream Book

Alice Pike Barney's "Dream Book" is a captivating portrait that blends Impressionistic brushwork with Symbolist undertones. The subject, a mysterious woman with fiery auburn hair, is depicted in profile, her features delicately framed by a sheer, gauzy veil that lends an ethereal quality to the piece. The vibrant red flowers and ornate earrings she wears add to her enigmatic allure, hinting at a dreamlike narrative.

The painting's loose, textured strokes evoke a sense of motion and fleeting emotion, as though capturing the subject mid-thought or memory. Barney's approach, characterized by a focus on light, mood, and psychological depth, is evident in this work, which seems to oscillate between the real and the imagined.