The Negligé or Morning Dressing 1741

This is an engraving, made in France in the 1700s, by Jacques Philippe Le Bas after a painting by Jean-Siméon Chardin. It represents a woman adjusting the head covering of a child, probably her daughter. We might read this tender scene of domesticity as a straightforward representation of French family life. However, the print also speaks to the wider social and cultural context of the time. Prints like these were made to be collected, bound in albums, and displayed in the home. The intimacy of the scene suggests a shift in the way the family was perceived, as a private sphere worthy of artistic representation. If we look closely at the image, we notice the trappings of wealth, such as the ornate clock and fine clothing, which suggest that this family belongs to the bourgeoisie. Studying the social and institutional history of the print medium will allow us to better understand its meaning and significance. We can study it further through the examination of trade records, account books, and other historical sources.