Parisienne Seen from the Back 1855

Constantin Guys created this ink and wash drawing, “Parisienne Seen from the Back,” to capture the fashionable silhouette of Parisian women. The drawing’s composition is dominated by the expansive skirt that flares dramatically around the figure, immediately drawing the viewer’s eye. Guys uses a limited palette of brown and gray washes to create a sense of depth and movement in the fabric’s folds. The artist's application of ink is loose, with visible brushstrokes that impart a sense of immediacy and capture the fleeting nature of urban life. The woman’s posture is elegant and refined, with her back arched and her head held high. This emphasizes the fashionable attire that was essential to Parisian social life. By focusing on the back view, Guys invites viewers to consider the visual spectacle of Parisian society and the performative aspect of fashion. The drawing serves as a visual signifier of Parisian identity and the cultural codes that shaped it.