La Terrasse de la VIlla Brancas 1876

Félix Bracquemond created "La Terrasse de la Villa Brancas" using etching. The print reflects the 19th-century French interest in leisure and the domestic sphere, yet complicates the standard narrative. The image presents two women: one seated with an umbrella, embodying the traditional role of the leisured subject, while the other is actively engaged as an artist. This positioning challenges conventional gender roles, suggesting that women are not only objects of beauty but also active creators. The setting, a private terrace, emphasizes the changing roles of women within the domestic space, as they begin to occupy positions of intellectual and creative labor. Bracquemond's choice to depict a fellow female artist adds a layer of solidarity, reflecting the burgeoning community of women artists during this period. The print offers a subtle commentary on the evolving identity of women and their participation in shaping cultural narratives.