The Letter (Reflexion, ou la lettre) c. 1887

This is an etching called ‘The Letter’ by Norbert Goeneutte, made in France at the end of the nineteenth century. It captures a woman caught in a moment of reflection, pen in mouth, as she sits at her desk. The print gives us insight into the social position of women in Parisian society at the time. We can see a stylishly dressed woman in a private, domestic space, engaged in the act of letter writing, itself a very gendered activity. The print participates in a wider trend in French art and literature of portraying women as thoughtful and intellectual beings, as opposed to merely decorative objects. Goeneutte’s print suggests a shift in cultural attitudes, perhaps reflecting the rise of feminist ideas and the changing roles of women in society at the time. To fully appreciate such art, we need to consider the prevailing social and cultural attitudes of the time. Contemporary magazines and literature can provide invaluable context. By exploring these sources, we gain a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between art and society.