Puech won the first Prix de Rome in 1884 and this enabled him to work in Rome for five years with Bourdelle and Maillol.  On his return, he was famous.  This figure – an allegory of night – attests to his elegant, graceful style, which corresponds well with the spirit of Art Nouveau.  The exact title of this work is « J’ai cru qu’une forme voilée flottait là bas… nuit de mai 1903 », (I thought a veiled form floated over there…May night in 1903), indicating that this is the sculptor’s own vision.