Kvinde fra Genova (Bourgeoise de Gênes avec le Mezzo sur la lête) 1760s

This is François Auguste Moitte’s delicate etching of a Genoese woman, made sometime in the late 18th century. During this time, the print market thrived as a way to disseminate images and information throughout Europe. But who was this woman, and why was she depicted? The title tells us she is a bourgeois from Genoa, and the etching meticulously details her dress and surroundings. Yet, her posture speaks of something more: she leans against a classical column, her gaze averted, seemingly lost in thought. This pose suggests a character burdened by reflection, perhaps hinting at the societal expectations placed on women of her class. Moitte’s image enters into a visual dialogue about gender, class, and identity in 18th-century Europe. It captures a moment of quiet introspection, inviting us to contemplate the lives and experiences of women who, though part of the bourgeoisie, often found themselves confined by social norms.