The Madame B Album c. 1870s

"The Madame B Album" (c. 1870s) is a watercolor on paper by Marie-Blanche Hennelle Fournier, depicting a humorous and satirical scene. The artwork features a figure wearing a large, box-shaped garment decorated with various images, including a coat of arms and a portrait of a man in traditional Japanese clothing. This whimsical work, currently housed at The Art Institute of Chicago, exemplifies Fournier's unique style and her penchant for incorporating elements of humor and social commentary into her artwork. This piece, at 29.2 x 41.9 cm, is considered to be a great example of the Victorian era's fascination with both the exotic and the absurd.