Nude woman leaving a man in bed 1823

This monochrome print, made by Jean Bosq in France during the first half of the 19th century, depicts a nude woman leaving a man in bed. In its time, this image would have circulated among the bourgeoisie as a titillating indulgence, a product of the print industry catering to the tastes of wealthy men. But the image also speaks to wider shifts in gender roles and sexual mores, becoming more fluid and destabilized amidst the social and political upheavals that followed the French Revolution. The woman’s gaze, directed outward, away from the man, suggests a newfound sense of independence and agency. Meanwhile, the man remains in bed, passive, and seemingly unaware. To understand this print more fully, we might consult sources such as popular literature, fashion plates, and legal documents to uncover the evolving social attitudes toward gender and sexuality in 19th-century France. Through such research, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the complex social dynamics at play in even seemingly simple images like this one.