Portret van Blanche Barretta in de rol van Henriette in Les Femmes Savantes before 1880

Editor: So, this photograph from before 1880 captures Blanche Barretta in costume for *Les Femmes Savantes.* There's something so staged and romantic about it. What strikes me most is her stillness. How do you interpret this work? Curator: The stillness, as you say, is key. Photography at that time demanded it, but it also reinforces the artifice of the theatre. Barretta isn't just a woman; she is presenting herself as a symbol, embodying the wit and intelligence her character represents. The theatrical genre adds layers. Do you notice the subtle backdrop, reminiscent of classical frescoes? Editor: Now that you point it out, I do! So the artist is trying to create layers of meaning? The chair, her gown... It feels so calculated. Curator: Precisely. The chair, for example, while seemingly ornate, is a prop – a symbol of the domestic space challenged by the "femmes savantes." The gown, too, walks a line between fashion and theatrical costume, blurring reality and performance. Can you imagine how viewers might have read these visual cues at the time? Editor: I suppose they would pick up on all the symbols much quicker! It’s fascinating how much information is embedded in what appears to be a simple portrait. Thanks! Curator: Indeed! It is a window into how visual language once functioned, shaping perceptions and reflecting societal values that still echo today. This reminds me of so many symbolist paintings of the same era.