Parisienne au Bois. 1890

Jean Béraud painted ‘Parisienne au Bois’ in France, likely during the late 19th century, capturing a fleeting moment in the life of a fashionable woman. This image reflects the strict social codes and the spectacle of wealth that defined Parisian society at the time. The woman’s elaborate attire – her feathered hat, fur-lined coat, and delicate gloves – signals her upper-class status and her conformity to the era's expectations of feminine elegance. In the background, we see other figures on horseback and in carriages, emphasizing the Bois de Boulogne as a stage for social display. Béraud's work often offers insights into the daily lives and social rituals of the Parisian bourgeoisie. To fully understand the painting, we might turn to fashion plates, social diaries, and other documents that reveal the material culture and customs of the period. By examining these sources, we can better understand how artists like Béraud both reflected and shaped the social landscape of their time.