Portret van Thérésa before 1879

Etienne Carjat made this small portrait of Thérésa, a celebrity performer, as an albumen silver print in the late 19th century. It is featured on a page from "Paris-Theatre." This image appears within a larger historical and cultural context of celebrity culture and the representation of women in the public sphere during that time. Thérésa, a stage performer, challenges the conventional roles assigned to women in 19th-century society through her public persona. The use of photography as a medium allowed for the mass dissemination of her image, contributing to her celebrity status. The performative aspect of the image suggests a departure from traditional, passive representations of women. Carjat uses light and shadow to create a sense of depth and intimacy, inviting viewers to engage with Thérésa on a personal level. The ornate frame around the portrait suggests celebrity and success. This image exists as part of a cultural shift in the representation of women and celebrity, prompting discussions about identity, gender, and the evolving role of women in society.