Meisjes leren grammatica 1868

This print, made by Désiré Mathieu Quesnel in 1868, depicts a group of young women studying grammar. It's a window into the complex social position of women in 19th century France. The image presents the education of women, but within very particular boundaries. Note the phrase at the top of the print, ‘A Rhetoric for Young Ladies’ as if the study of grammar is a means to a very specific end. The women are all dressed in a similar style, emphasizing their shared social standing and perhaps the expectation of conformity. What's the purpose of educating young women? It is not necessarily to grant them social mobility or the means to professional success, but rather to cultivate feminine virtues. We might explore the history of women's education in France through institutional records, educational treatises, and even conduct manuals, to understand the nuances of this image. The art historian, therefore, doesn't just look at the artwork itself, but considers how it reflects the social conditions of its time.