Two Women c. 1840

Constantin Guys made this watercolor titled 'Two Women' sometime in the mid-19th century. Guys worked as an illustrator, often depicting scenes of urban life in London and Paris. This image presents us with two women in an intimate, perhaps domestic setting. The standing figure, with her hands on her hips, is laced tightly into a corset, emphasizing the artificial constraints placed on women's bodies and, by extension, their freedom during this period. The other woman, seated and turned away, adds to the sense of enclosure. Are we looking at a scene of support, or perhaps a subtle critique of the roles women were expected to perform? Guys' sketch-like style doesn't give us definitive answers. Instead, it invites us to consider the complex interplay of gender, class, and the societal expectations that shaped women's lives. The vulnerability and strength that seem to co-exist in this image create a powerful commentary on the experience of women in 19th-century society.