Portrait from Galerie Fashionable c. 1830

Achille Devéria created this lithograph titled 'Portrait from Galerie Fashionable' sometime in the early to mid-19th century. It depicts a woman in her private chamber, perhaps fastening a necklace. Consider the context: This was a time of great change in France, with the rise of the bourgeoisie and new ideas about class and gender roles. Images like this played a part in defining ideals of femininity and domesticity. The print also offers a glimpse into the world of fashion and popular culture of the time, which was disseminated through print media. What was the public role of this kind of image? Was it simply to entertain, or did it also serve to reinforce certain social norms and values? To understand this work more fully, one might delve into the history of French fashion, gender studies, and the rise of print culture in the 19th century. The meaning of art is contingent on its social and institutional context.