Formosante gave a cry of pain that resounded throughout the house 1805

Editor: This print, by Jean Baptiste Simonet, titled "Formosante gave a cry of pain that resounded throughout the house," depicts a dramatic scene. The figures seem frozen in a moment of intense emotion. What historical context informs this portrayal of distress? Curator: This print likely illustrates a scene from a novel. The woman's reaction, perhaps to oppressive societal constraints or a violation, speaks to broader themes of female agency and the expression of interiority within 18th-century literature. Consider how class might influence this depiction of private suffering. Editor: Class? Interesting! How does that play into it? Curator: Well, think about who has the luxury of expressing such distress in a private chamber versus who is forced to endure hardship publicly, silently. The setting itself is a statement. Editor: That's a good point. I hadn't considered that. Thanks for pointing it out!