La Mode, 5 avril 1843 : Amazone d'Humann (...) 1843

This print, made in 1843 by an anonymous artist, depicts a woman in riding attire. The figure's top hat and riding crop are symbols that, at first glance, signify aristocracy and equestrian skill. However, consider the deeper implications of a woman wielding such symbols of control. The riding crop, historically a tool of command over animals, is repurposed here as a symbol of female empowerment. This is not unlike the ancient Roman fasces, a bundle of rods and an axe, carried as a symbol of authority. In this depiction, the riding crop subtly challenges traditional gender roles, echoing the mythological figure of the Amazon—a woman warrior. The ‘Amazone’ is not merely a fashion statement, but a reflection of a cultural shift, a subconscious yearning for female agency in a patriarchal society. This visual motif will be continuously reinterpreted, demonstrating humanity’s complex dance between tradition and progress.