Girl in a White Dress c. 1765

Jean-Baptiste Greuze painted this portrait of a young girl in a white dress sometime during the 18th century, a period marked by rigid social structures and burgeoning revolutionary ideas. Greuze, celebrated for his sentimental and moralizing paintings, here presents a portrait that seems simple. Yet, it speaks volumes about the era's complex attitudes toward women and innocence. The girl's white dress, a symbol of purity, contrasts with her direct gaze, hinting at a self-awareness that challenges the passive roles typically assigned to women in that era. We might wonder what her dreams and thoughts were, in a world that so narrowly defined her possibilities. Greuze’s choice to focus on an individual, rather than a mythological or historical figure, reflects a growing interest in the inner lives and emotions of everyday people. The delicate brushwork and soft lighting evoke a sense of intimacy, inviting us to reflect on the girl's identity and her place in a society on the cusp of radical change.