'The Hidden Side of a Whist Party', illustration from 'Les Diaboliques' by Jules Amedee Barbey d'Aurevilly (1808-89) 1886 (engraving) (b/w photo)

Created in 1886 by Felicien Rops, The Hidden Side of a Whist Party is a striking illustration accompanying Jules Amedee Barbey d'Aurevilly’s Les Diaboliques. Rops, a notable figure in the Symbolism movement, employs masterful engraving techniques to render this black-and-white image with intricate detail and tonal depth. The artwork captures the enigmatic essence suggested by its title, reflecting the hidden dynamics beneath a social gathering centered around the card game whist. Rops’ style combines refined line work and subtle textures characteristic of late 19th-century European graphic art, emphasizing psychological complexity and symbolic meaning.