Bois De Boulogne 

Jean Béraud painted Bois de Boulogne, capturing a slice of Parisian life, during the late 19th century. It depicts an avenue within the park, bustling with horse-drawn carriages and pedestrians. What is most evident is the display of social status. The Bois de Boulogne was where the upper classes showcased their wealth. Carriages and elegant attire signal the privilege of the bourgeoisie, while the absence of working-class figures highlights the city's social divisions. Béraud, as a chronicler of Parisian society, doesn't necessarily critique this hierarchy but presents it with acute observation. Notice how the women are adorned in elaborate dresses, with bonnets and parasols, embodying the era's restrictive gender roles. The emotional tenor of the piece is one of restrained opulence, yet it quietly underscores the exclusivity and constructed nature of Parisian high society. Ultimately, Béraud offers us a glimpse into the theater of class and gender, played out in one of Paris’s most iconic locations, a park designed for leisure and display.