Drie vrouwen uit Bordeaux in traditionele kledij 1837

This print of three women from Bordeaux in traditional dress was made by Aimé-Henry-Edmond Sewrin-Bassompierre, though we don’t have a specific date for it. It's a lithograph, a process that democratized image-making in the 19th century, using a flat stone or metal plate to transfer an image. The appeal of lithography was its relative ease and speed, allowing for mass production and wider distribution of images. You could even use color! This print showcases that capability with delicate pastel hues. It's important to remember that prints like this, made for popular consumption, involved many hands, from the artist to the printmakers and publishers. The image speaks to its time, a moment of industrialization where traditional crafts and cultures were increasingly seen as commodities. These women, in their carefully rendered costumes, become objects of visual consumption, their identities somewhat flattened and re-presented for an audience eager to consume images of other places and peoples. It prompts us to reflect on the value and impact of materials, making, and context in understanding the full meaning of an artwork.