Bonnet 1882

This bonnet was made by Madame Henry, a name which signals that its creator was a woman working in fashion, most likely in France. Fashion is a language, and we can decode this object for clues about the social status of its wearer. The velvet, fur, and decorative gold pin all indicate wealth and privilege, making this a garment for a woman of the upper classes. We can also consider the gendered context of the bonnet. Hats like these were worn in a time when a woman's place was in the domestic sphere and their role in society was to be visually pleasing. What sources might help us to better understand this artwork? We can explore fashion plates, which are illustrations of the latest styles from this period. We can also consider how it appears in paintings, photographs, and literature. The meaning of a bonnet depends on who is wearing it and when.