Jonge vrouw met naam met letter A 1834

Henri Grevedon made this lithograph of a young woman, sometime in the first half of the 19th century in France. It presents an image of delicate femininity combined with markers of high social status, all of which carries significance within its specific cultural and historical moment. Consider the style of dress, with its emphasis on lace and a nipped waist, along with the elaborate hairstyle. These elements speak to the fashion of the time but also reflect broader social ideals surrounding beauty, femininity, and the display of wealth. It’s difficult to be certain about the sitter’s class status without further information. However, the presence of the initial A would suggest the cultural importance of genealogy, family connections, and inherited wealth, which would have been the concerns of the aristocracy. Images such as this offer insights into the values, beliefs, and social structures of 19th-century French society. By consulting sources such as fashion plates, social histories, and genealogical records, we can gain a richer understanding of the context in which this image was created and consumed.