Head of a woman with her head turned to the left, from Livre de Têtes Gravées d'apres F. Boucher et Autres (Book of Heads Engraved after F. Boucher and Others) 1740 - 1780

This is an engraving of a woman’s head, made after François Boucher, part of a series of head studies, from France in the 18th century. The image, with its focus on a fashionable hairstyle, speaks to the cultural importance of portraiture and fashion during this period. Engravings like this played a crucial role in disseminating artistic ideas and styles across Europe. This print is from a book of engraved heads, a kind of pattern book. Such books were used by artists and artisans to copy popular styles, contributing to a shared visual culture. The image reflects the Rococo aesthetic, characterized by elegance, grace, and ornamentation, which was favored by the French aristocracy and spread through Europe influencing decorative arts. Studying this image alongside other prints, fashion plates, and even letters and diaries from the period can reveal a great deal about the social and artistic networks of 18th-century France. It allows us to see how images contributed to the construction of identity and the circulation of cultural values.