Journal des Dames et des Demoiselles, 15 Novembre 1872, No. 1098B 1872

Jules David made this print for the Journal des Dames et des Demoiselles in 1872. Here, we see two women adorned in the height of fashion, complete with parasols and elaborate dresses. The parasol, ostensibly a shield from the sun, speaks volumes beyond mere utility. In ancient Egypt, parasols symbolized royalty, an echo of power. The gesture of holding it aloft has journeyed through time, resurfacing in religious art to denote sanctity, even divinity. Yet, here, the parasol whispers of a more subtle power, a delicate assertion of social status and a carefully cultivated image. Consider how such symbols evolve. The scepter of a king, the halo of a saint, and now, the parasol of a fashionable lady—all devices to command attention. Perhaps unconsciously, we imbue these objects with our desires and aspirations, projecting our inner selves onto the world through symbols that shift and shimmer across history.