Femme de qualité en deshabillé d'hyver c. 1680 - 1720

Dieu de Saint Jean created this print, "Femme de qualité en deshabillé d'hyver", sometime in the late 17th century. This image speaks volumes about the rigid social hierarchies and gendered expectations of the era. Here, we see a woman of "quality", emphasizing the importance of social rank during the reign of Louis XIV. Her elaborate hairstyle and layered gown, while described as undress, clearly indicate her elevated status. Consider the layers of artifice and the physical constraints these fashions imposed, reflecting the limited agency women of the aristocracy had at the time. The print offers a glimpse into the rituals of class and gender performance. What does it mean to be a woman of quality? This image invites us to reflect on how identity is constructed through material culture and social expectations. It highlights the ways in which clothing and appearance become potent signifiers of power, privilege, and confinement.