Joséphine-Éléonore-Marie-Pauline de Galard de Brassac de Béarn- Princesse de Broglie 1851 - 1853

Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres painted Joséphine-Éléonore-Marie-Pauline de Galard de Brassac de Béarn- Princesse de Broglie without a specific date. Ingres was working during a time of significant social and political change, including the rise of industrialization and shifting gender roles. This portrait encapsulates the societal expectations placed on women of the aristocracy, particularly their roles in upholding status and lineage. The princess’s gaze is direct, yet she remains an object of beauty and refinement. Ingres masterfully conveys the opulence of her dress and jewelry, underscoring her elevated position within French society. Yet, we might ask, at what cost? The cool detachment of the princess, combined with the painting's restrained palette, hints at the emotional confinement experienced by women of her class. Joséphine appears composed, but is she truly free? Consider the societal constraints and expectations of the era, which are reflected in the carefully constructed image of aristocratic femininity.