Portret van een jonge vrouw c. 1750 - 1775

Gilles Demarteau made this crayon manner print of a young woman in Paris. The crayon manner was a popular printmaking technique that emerged in France in the mid-18th century. It mimicked the appearance of a crayon or chalk drawing. The image presents a woman in soft, delicate lines, reflecting the Rococo style. The choice of subject, the artistic style, and the printmaking technique all speak to the cultural and institutional context of the time. The emphasis on elegance and refinement reflects the values of the French aristocracy and upper class. This print would have been part of a larger visual culture that reinforced certain ideals of beauty, femininity, and social status. To fully appreciate this work, one could consult period journals, fashion plates, and social histories to better understand the cultural significance. This would reveal the complex interplay between artistic production and social norms.