Petite Galerie Dramatique, ca. 1809 - 1843, No. 200: Costume de Mme Blossevill (...) c. 1809 - 1834

This anonymous print depicts Madame Blosseville in costume for the role of Madame Bourdon. Note the wreath of laurel leaves adorning her collar. This symbol, rooted in classical antiquity, traditionally signifies triumph, victory, and honor, and was once worn by Apollo himself. Consider how such a symbol migrates across time and space: from adorning emperors and athletes to here, framing the neck of an actress playing a common woman. Is it ironic, or does it elevate the humble role? The laurel’s reappearance speaks to our collective memory, a subconscious yearning to imbue even the everyday with a touch of nobility. The gesture of placing hands on hips broadcasts a confident defiance, an emotional stance that transcends the printed page, engaging the viewer with a relatable intensity. The symbol and pose are not static relics but living entities, continuously shaped by the currents of human experience.