Adrienne Lecouvreur n.d.

Jean-Baptiste de Grateloup created this print, *Adrienne Lecouvreur*, sometime between 1735 and 1817. Lecouvreur, a celebrated actress, was known for bringing naturalism to the French stage. In this image, Grateloup captures Lecouvreur's dramatic flair but also hints at the complexities of her life as a woman in the public eye. The urn she holds may reference her untimely death, rumored to be from poison. The print invites us to reflect on the limited agency women had in the 18th century. Lecouvreur defied social norms through her profession, yet her success made her vulnerable to scrutiny and scandal. Grateloup’s print becomes a commentary on the ephemeral nature of fame, and the personal cost of challenging societal expectations.