The Intimacy in Her Eyes Seems Almost Undeniable #art #history #painting #epicthemusical

"La Belle Liseuse" and "Off to Bed," painted ~1880-1900's by Léon François Comerre

I tried a slightly different style with this video because I wanted to match it with the song I picked which is coming from my most recent musical obsession, Epic the musical. I felt like the paintings and this music tied well with the idea I wanted to convey to you guys. Hope you enjoy it, and for more information please read the short background I wrote below.

**disclaimer: I am not saying, that anything scandalous did happen between them, it's just a thought that came to mind when seeing the two paintings side by side**

Short background on how this video came to be ????

I came across the work of Léon François Comerre, a French painter from the late 1800s, while researching other artists, and was immediately struck by how tender and intimate his portraits feel. He was known for painting elegant women in luxurious settings, with a refined, almost classical style. There’s something quietly captivating about the way he captured his subjects—like you’re witnessing a private moment frozen in time.

When I saw two of his paintings, La Belle Liseuse and Off to Bed, they immediately reminded me of the song Love in Paradise from the Epic musical—my current musical obsession. The connection felt so natural that I knew I had to pair them. Both works seem to tell a quiet, unfolding story. It feels like the same woman appears in both: first reading, casting a sly, knowing smile, and later, just before sleep, offering that same glance—only softer, more vulnerable. It made me wonder about her relationship with Comerre. Was she a muse? A lover? She’s definitely not his wife (who was also a painter and looks completely different), which only deepens the mystery. There's something magnetic about the way he painted her—like a conversation happening in silence.

Thanks for enjoying and learning about this beautiful art piece with me! ❤️