Gallerie des Modes et Costumes Français, 1779, cc 160 : Jeune dame tenant son enfant (...) 1779

Charles Emmanuel Patas created this print titled "Jeune dame tenant son enfant..." in 1779. The image presents a woman holding a child, dressed in the height of French fashion. Considered within the context of 18th-century French society, the print offers insight into the roles of women and the visual markers of class. This era was on the cusp of revolution, and fashion became increasingly politicized. While the elaborate dress and towering hairstyle denote aristocratic status, the depiction of motherhood introduces another layer of identity. Does this image perpetuate the traditional representation of women as mothers? Or, does it speak to an emerging narrative where women embody both status and maternal affection? The print invites us to consider the personal experiences of women in this period. What was it like to navigate the expectations of motherhood while adhering to the demands of high society? How did women reconcile their roles as caregivers with their positions in a hierarchical social structure?