Madame Marsollier and Her Daughter 1749

Jean-Marc Nattier, painted "Madame Marsollier and Her Daughter" in France during the 18th century, capturing the Rococo era's focus on elegance. This image offers a glimpse into the lives of the French aristocracy. The opulent clothing and refined posture of the subjects speak to their social standing. However, Nattier does more than simply depict wealth; he subtly comments on the role of women in this society, with the daughter poised to inherit her mother’s status and responsibilities. France at this time was a culture of elaborate courtly rituals and nascent revolutionary ideas. To understand how this context shaped Nattier’s work, we might turn to sources like fashion plates, social histories, and records from the Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture, which dictated artistic standards. By exploring the social and institutional contexts, we reveal how art like this reflects, reinforces, or perhaps even gently challenges the norms of its time.