Pensez À Dieu 1876

Hugues Merle painted this image of a young woman, titled "Pensez À Dieu," which translates to "Think of God," at an unknown date, likely in the mid-19th century. Merle, a French artist, often depicted scenes of sentimental, moral instruction, reflective of the era's emphasis on religious and ethical values. Here, a blonde woman gestures heavenward, her other hand resting over her heart. She's dressed in simple white robes, an image which emphasizes purity and piety. The model's face, framed by flowing hair, is idealized, embodying the era’s aesthetic standards of feminine beauty. This idealization invites viewers to contemplate not just religious thought, but also the era's constructions of gender and morality. By asking the viewer to ‘think of God’, Merle elicits a moment of personal reflection, an emotional experience that ties into the social expectations of the time, where religion and morality were central to identity.