Heure Apres Midi. Mlle. Louise de Radepont c. 1830

Achille Devéria created this lithograph, Mademoiselle Louise de Radepont, in France during the 19th century. This image, whose title translates to Afternoon Hour, encapsulates the burgeoning culture of fashion and portraiture in a rapidly changing society. Here, we see a woman of apparent means, adorned in the latest fashions of the time. The attention to detail in her dress, hat, and the surrounding furnishings suggests a culture increasingly focused on consumerism and display. The lithograph itself is evidence of technological advancements making art more accessible, thus democratizing portraiture. During this period, France was undergoing significant social and political upheaval, and the rise of fashion and portraiture can be seen as a reflection of the aspirations and anxieties of the middle and upper classes. Delving into fashion plates, journals, and social commentaries from 19th-century France helps us understand the image’s significance. The image’s meaning is contingent on understanding the context in which it was produced and consumed.