Twee vrouwen kleden een jonge vrouw 1834

Jean-Baptiste Madou created this print titled, *Two Women Dressing a Young Woman*, using lithography. This scene brings us into the intimate world of women in the 19th century. The practice of dressing was a moment of transformation, where societal expectations and personal identity intertwined, defining femininity and status. What strikes me is the dynamic between the women. Is this a mother and daughter, or perhaps a lady and her servants? The older women attend to the younger one, whose gaze drifts towards the mirror. The reflection becomes a silent dialogue on beauty, duty, and self-perception. Madou captures more than just a routine; he reveals a complex interplay of gazes and gestures which touches on the heart of domestic life, offering a glimpse into the negotiations of womanhood in the 1800s.