Journal des Demoiselles, Juillet 1866, 34e année, No. 7 1866

This is an anonymous print from the Journal des Demoiselles, made in Paris in July 1866. The image presents an idyllic vision of femininity, with a focus on fashion and social grace. Note the recurrence of floral motifs. The violet flowers in the stone vase and those carried in the lady's basket are not mere decoration. The violet, often associated with modesty and faithfulness, has roots in ancient Greece where it was linked to Ione, a nymph transformed into a violet by Zeus. This symbol transcends time, appearing later in Christian art, representing humility. Consider how the violet’s meaning has been woven into the fabric of our collective unconscious, reappearing in various forms to evoke emotions tied to love, memory, and the transient nature of beauty. This symbol, steeped in layers of cultural meaning, continues its journey through time.