Sunday Morning 1883

James Tissot created this print titled ‘Sunday Morning’ during the late 19th century, a period marked by significant social stratification and evolving gender roles. The woman depicted is adorned in luxurious furs and an elaborate hat, indicative of her upper-class status and the period’s emphasis on sartorial elegance as a marker of identity. Her gaze, averted slightly, hints at a complex interiority, perhaps reflecting the constraints and expectations placed upon women of her class. Tissot, a keen observer of social dynamics, often depicted women navigating the rigid structures of Victorian society. The wintery backdrop serves as a metaphor for the social climate – beautiful but potentially isolating. Consider how the artist uses the print medium to capture both the opulence and the underlying tensions of his time. The print invites us to ponder the lived experiences of women in the Victorian era and the subtle ways they negotiated their identities within a patriarchal society.