Modes et Manières du Jour 1799-1800, no. 32: La Lectur (...) c. 1893s - 1903s

This print, Modes et Manières du Jour 1799-1800, number 32: La Lecture, was made around the turn of the 19th century by an anonymous artist. Executed with delicate lines and subtle washes of color, the print depicts a woman reading. The artist presents a study in contrasts, using both color and composition to communicate meaning. Notice the striking verticality, emphasized by the figure's elongated form and the cascade of fabric from her waist to the lower edge. This contrasts with the delicate horizontal lines of the landscape, which are softly rendered in the background. Lightness and shadow play across the figure, accentuating the texture of the fabrics. The parasol adds a structural element, its circular form offering a counterpoint to the prevailing linear forms. The image can be interpreted as a sign of shifting social codes. As the woman is absorbed in her reading, the print suggests a move towards a more intellectual and independent vision of femininity.