Bocage in de rol van Pinto c. 1835 - 1850

Théodore Lejeune made this print of Bocage in the role of Pinto, but the date is unknown. This image speaks to the relationship between theater, fashion, and social identity in 19th-century Europe. Bocage, a well-known actor, is depicted here in costume for a specific role. We can see how the fashions of the stage were carefully designed to signal character and social standing. Prints like this circulated widely, creating a visual culture around theatrical performance. They offer a glimpse into the world of celebrity and spectacle, but also into the ways that social roles were constructed and performed both on and off the stage. To understand this image further, we could research the play itself, the career of the actor, and the conventions of theatrical costume in 19th-century France. The history of costume is a great way to access the social values of the time.