Dame en twee heren in een parfumerie 1843 - 1844

Editor: This lithograph, “Dame en twee heren in een parfumerie,” by Frédéric Bouchot, dates to between 1843 and 1844. It depicts a somewhat tense interaction in what I assume is a Parisian perfume shop. What can you tell me about the dynamics at play here? Curator: It's tempting to see this scene purely through a comedic lens, as many did at the time given its publication context, “Les Petits Mystères de Paris.” But let’s consider what it might tell us about the societal pressures and gendered expectations of 19th-century Paris. Notice the woman, presumably a shopkeeper, and the two men. How might their positions – in relation to the counter, each other, and even us as the viewers – signify power or lack thereof? Editor: I see what you mean. The men seem to be customers, one with his back turned and another looming in the background, while the woman is confined behind the counter. It seems that the space itself reinforces their dominance. Curator: Precisely. The image also invites us to question beauty standards of the period, with its emphasis on perfume as a commodity of feminine allure. How might this artwork be viewed in relation to discussions of female agency and commercialization of women's bodies during that time? Editor: So, it's more than just a snapshot of everyday life. It’s reflecting larger issues of gender roles and power structures in Parisian society. I see so much more in this image now than when I started. Curator: Absolutely! And by understanding that, we're able to create dialogue around identity, and power in places we often overlook.