Eugénie, Empress Consort of the French 1864

Franz Xaver Winterhalter painted this portrait of Eugénie, Empress Consort of the French, during the Second Empire in France. Winterhalter was a master of the aristocratic portrait, and here he captures the opulence of Eugénie’s court through her luxurious fur wrap and elaborate jewelry. But portraits like this also played an important role in shaping the image of the French monarchy. Eugénie was known as a fashionable and glamorous figure, and her image was widely circulated in the popular press, helping to promote the regime's cultural prestige. The court became deeply intertwined with the fashion industry, as Charles Worth rose to become the first celebrity designer by creating gowns for the Empress. Historians consult a variety of sources, including fashion plates and popular journals to understand the social and political role that images like this played in their time. By situating art within its broader cultural context, we can gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.