Curatorial Narrative In the realm of early 20th-century Belgian art, Eugeen Van Mieghem’s works often found themselves situated at the crossroads of Expressionism and Realism. “De eerste stapjes” exemplifies this nuanced balance, as it presents a figurative scene rendered in soft brushwork and muted sepia tones. The artist’s deliberate choice to employ monochromatic hues imbues the image with an atmospheric weight that recalls the melancholic tone often associated with early 20th-century European art.As “De eerste stapjes” is scaled up to its original dimensions of 44×54 inches, the chromatic structure begins to exert a pronounced influence on the surrounding environment. The dominant sepia tones take on a tactile quality, evoking the texture of aged paper or worn wood surfaces. This effect would be particularly well-suited to pairing with rich, dark woods such as walnut or ebony, which would amplify the atmospheric weight generated