Woman Wearing a Crown, Receiving a Garland of Flowers and Fruit 1768

Editor: This print by Augustin de Saint-Aubin, "Woman Wearing a Crown, Receiving a Garland of Flowers and Fruit," is lovely. It seems to depict some sort of allegorical scene. What do you make of it? Curator: It's a fascinating piece for sure. I see a commentary on the societal expectations placed upon women, even those in positions of power. Note how the crown and the garland, symbols of authority and fertility, are both bestowed upon her, rather than earned or chosen. Editor: So, she’s not necessarily *choosing* these roles? Curator: Precisely. Consider the figures surrounding her—are they supporting her agency, or reinforcing pre-determined paths? And the chariot above, driven by a woman—is that aspirational, or a symbol of even greater expectations? It prompts us to examine the constraints, as well as the privileges, associated with gender and status. Editor: That's a really interesting way to frame it. I hadn’t thought of it that way, but now I see so much more.