Woman Trying on a Hat 1884

Edgar Degas made this painting of a woman trying on a hat, sometime in the late 19th century in France. This scene, seemingly a fleeting moment in a millinery shop, speaks to the changing role of women in Parisian society. As department stores and boutiques emerged, women became increasingly visible in the public sphere, both as consumers and as workers. We see here a woman engaged in the act of adornment, participating in the burgeoning fashion industry. This industry offered women new opportunities for self-expression and economic independence, but also reinforced societal expectations about beauty and femininity. Degas was known for portraying the lives of working-class women such as dancers and laundresses, and in this context the hat shop becomes a stage for observing social dynamics and gender roles. Understanding this artwork fully requires delving into the economic and cultural history of 19th-century France, researching sources such as fashion magazines, sociological studies, and shop archives. This way, we can explore the complex interplay of social class, gender, and consumer culture.