Monsieur Coqueret 1880

Here, Claude Monet captures Monsieur Coqueret in an undated painting using oil on canvas. Monet, a key figure in the Impressionist movement, painted during a time of significant social change, including the rise of the bourgeoisie. The portrait gives us insight into the visual culture of 19th-century France. It invites us to reflect on the representation of masculinity. Monsieur Coqueret is depicted with a focus on his face and upper body, his moustache framing his expression. His attire, including a bow tie, signals his status, reflecting the importance of appearance in bourgeois society. What does it mean to paint a man with a bow like this? How does it subvert our expectations of masculinity? This painting encourages us to consider the intersection of identity, class, and representation, and the emotional dimensions of portraiture as a dialogue between artist and sitter.