Danseres 1772 - 1837

Pietro Fontana created this print titled ‘Danzatrice’ in Italy during the late 18th or early 19th century. It's dedicated to Georgiana, Duchess of Bedford, a prominent figure of English high society. The image depicts a woman in classical garb, resembling a sculpture. This neoclassical style was fashionable then, inspired by renewed interest in ancient Greece and Rome. The print suggests ideals of beauty and grace, but also reflects the social values of the time, where aristocratic patronage played a crucial role in artistic production. Fontana’s work reveals the intersection of art, patronage, and social status. To understand it better, we can delve into the history of the Duchess of Bedford and examine the role of aristocratic women in the arts during this period. These kinds of investigations remind us that art is always shaped by its social and institutional context.