Chapter 169
Chapter 169
“There will be an auction of paintings, and all proceeds will be donated to an HIV and AIDS charity,” the attendant announced, his voice carrying smoothly through the ballroom. A soft murmur of approval rippled through the crowd as attention turned toward the stage, where an easel stood with a covered canvas.
With a practiced motion, the usherette removed the cloth, revealing the first piece.
“This painting, titled The Silent Requiem, was created by the renowned artist Valeria DuPont. The strokes of deep crimson and soft gold reflect the duality of human struggle–pain and hope, despair and resilience.” The attendant gestured toward the canvas, the dim lighting highlighting the intricate layers of oil paint. “DuPont’s work is known for evoking emotion, and this particular piece is said to have been inspired by letters written by patients fighting the disease.”
A few murmurs spread through the attendees, some already eyeing the painting with interest. The usherette moved to the next easel, leading the small group of guests with her. Most of the women followed while the men remained nearby, engaged in quiet discussions over champagne.
Izzy who standing near the front, glanced at the next painting just as a familiar voice spoke beside her.
“I quite like this one,” Natalia Petrova mused, studying the brushwork on the new piece.
Izzy turned and immediately recognized her. One of Cecil’s friends. They had met before when Cecil had casually. introduced them at a past event. In fact, there were many women in the Gala who were Cecil’s friends and had been Izzy’s acquaintance.
“What do you think?” Natalia asked, tilting her head slightly as she examined the painting.
Izzy’s gaze swept over it briefly. The abstract strokes of dark blue and silver gave it a modern, chaotic feel–not something she’d personally choose.
“Contemporary paintings aren’t really my thing,” Izzy admitted, offering a polite smile.
Then a light laugh sounded from behind them.
“Well, that’s expected,” Pamella’s voice cut in, smoothly inserting itself into the conversation. “You spend so much time in the corporate world–I suppose you wouldn’t have had much exposure to things like this.”
The words were pleasant enough, almost complimentary–but the meaning behind them was clear.
A few nearby women exchanged glances, sensing the subtle dig.
Izzy didn’t react immediately. Instead, she turned toward Pamella, her expression unreadable.
Pamella simply smiled, sipping her champagne as if she had said nothing out of place.
“I suppose Miss Johnson would know a few things about this painting, then?” Izzy asked.
Pamella smirked as if she had already expected this. She nodded, shifting her attention back to the painting with an air of confidence. “Of course,” she said smoothly. “This piece is an example of gestural abstraction–you can see how the brushwork emphasizes movement rather than precision. The artist, I believe, was influenced by post–war expressionism, which often conveys a sense of unrest and transition.” She gestured toward the deep, chaotic strokes of blue layered with silver. “The overlapping textures suggest an emotional conflict, yet there’s a deliberate balance in the composition. It’s meant to feel disordered but never out of control.”
A few women nearby nodded, their gazes returning to the painting with newfound interest.
Pamella moved toward the next easel, her champagne glass held effortlessly between her fingers. “Now, this one is different,” she continued, studying the painting before her. “It’s reminiscent of Luminism, though with a modern twist. See how the artist manipulates light? The soft gradients and blended edges draw the eye naturally toward the center, creating a sense of
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Chapter 169
depth without the use of harsh lines.”
Several attendees leaned in slightly, absorbing her explanation.
“This technique was originally developed to mimic natural lighting, but here, the artist applies it to an abstract setting rather than a landscape. The result?” She gestured toward the painting, her gaze sharp. “A piece that evokes warmth and nostalgia without depicting anything concrete. It forces the viewer to project their own emotions onto the canvas.”
Hearing her, more guests murmured their approval. Even those who had merely glanced at the painting before now took a closer look, nodding as if seeing it in a new light.
Pamella, satisfied, took a slow sip of her champagne and glanced briefly at Izzy as if daring her to say otherwise.
To Pamella’s surprise, Izzy didn’t argue or challenge her. Instead, she simply smiled and gestured toward another painting at few feet away.
“What about that one?” Izzy asked, tilting her head slightly.
Pamella barely hesitated before stepping forward, her gaze sweeping over the artwork with practiced ease. “That,” she said smoothly, “is a prime example of Surrealist Minimalism. Unlike traditional surrealism, which thrives on elaborate, dreamlike imagery, this artist strips it down to its essence–subtle distortions in an otherwise simplistic composition.”
She gestured toward the painting, which depicted a lone figure with elongated limbs, half–fading into a monochrome background. “The absence of excessive detail forces the observer to focus on the emotion conveyed through posture and contrast. It’s unsettling but not overwhelming–precisely what makes it intriguing.”
The women around them murmured in agreement, some nodding as they examined the painting more closely.
Izzy hummed lightly, then gestured toward another piece at the far end of the display. “And that one?”
Pamella turned, her interest piqued. She strode toward it with purpose, her eyes scanning the brushwork before she spoke. “This is a neo–classical revival, but with postmodern influences. You can tell from the dramatic lighting and rigid symmetry. -it mirrors techniques from the Renaissance, but the subject matter is completely unconventional.” She flicked her fingers toward the painting’s bold use of negative space. “This artist plays with contrast in a way that almost contradicts the classical elements, creating something both structured and unpredictable.”
Again, several of the women murmured in appreciation.
Izzy watched her for a moment before pursing her lips slightly. “Impressive,” she finally said. “Miss Johnson is indeed an expert.”
A few women around them nodded, some even murmuring their agreement.
Pamella straightened slightly, the corner of her lips twitching as she took another slow sip of her champagne. Izzy was praising her, but why did it feel a little off? Had she missed something?
Izzy studied Pamella for a moment before offering a small smile. “Very impressive,” she repeated as she tilted her head slightly. “You just reminded me of Madam Weiss. Your knowledge is comparable to hers. I presume you two would make a good
mathan and J…-handan ”
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