Portret van Marie Blanche Peschard before 1878

This portrait of Marie Blanche Peschard was made sometime in the 19th century by the studio Gaston et Mathieu and is published in the French periodical Paris-Théâtre. In nineteenth-century France, the illustrated press became a key site for the construction of celebrity. Here, Peschard, a prominent stage actress, is captured in an ornate frame. It is decorated with cupids, theatrical masks, and garlands. Note also the way that her professional identity has been carefully crafted. She is dressed in a costume that alludes to her role on stage and the overall effect is one of glamour and sophistication. To truly understand an image like this, it is important to delve into the history of the periodical, the history of the theatre, and the social significance of celebrity culture at the time. Only then can we understand the complex interplay of social, cultural, and economic forces that shaped the production and reception of this portrait.