Study of Two Women 1750 - 1760

Etienne Jeaurat made this drawing, "Study of Two Women", sometime in the 18th century. Jeaurat lived in an era where French society was highly stratified, with rigid class distinctions influencing daily life and artistic representation. The artwork offers a glimpse into the lives of working-class women, a group often overlooked in the art of his time. One woman is standing with her hands on her hips, exuding a sense of self-assuredness. The other is seated, perhaps in a moment of rest. The sketch avoids idealizing its subjects, instead presenting them with a directness that feels quietly revolutionary. Though simple in composition, this study reflects the complex social dynamics of 18th-century France, where gender and class determined one's place in society. The drawing invites us to consider the everyday experiences of women whose stories might otherwise be lost to history.