Esquisse pour l'escalier des Fêtes de l'Hôtel de Ville de Paris : Les Rafraîchissements

Luc-Olivier Merson's esquisse for the Hôtel de Ville staircase depicting 'Les Rafraîchissements' (Refreshments, 1888) is a preparatory study for one of the lunette panels of the decorative program. 'Les Rafraîchissements' as an allegorical subject — refreshments or cooling — belongs to the tradition of the four seasons or the pleasures of the table as decorative themes, classical subjects adapted to the republican civic context of the Hôtel de Ville program. Merson brings his characteristic grace and refinement to this festive allegorical subject. The work is in the Petit Palais.

The preparatory painting establishes the figure arrangement and tonal scheme for the decorative panel. Merson's light, graceful handling is characteristic even in this provisional state — figures are rendered with elegant drawing and a warm, luminous palette suited to festive allegory. The composition has the flowing quality of ceiling painting.