The Village Bride 1761

Jean-Baptiste Greuze painted "The Village Bride" with oil on canvas some time in the late 18th century. It depicts a wedding agreement being settled. The bride is surrounded by her family. Her gentle compliance with the arrangement is a sign of her virtue. Made in France during the Enlightenment, this painting reflected the period’s interest in morality and the family. Greuze was working at a time when the Academy was the center of the art world. Though not particularly progressive, his work stood apart from the historical painting that was promoted by that institution. Unlike grandiose depictions of heroism and mythology, Greuze's paintings turned to domestic dramas with which ordinary viewers could identify. For the historian, understanding this artwork means looking into the prevailing social customs around marriage and considering the significance of family values during this era. Contemporary literature and legal documents can tell us a lot about the realities behind this seemingly simple scene. We learn about the public role of art by analyzing the artist's choices in portraying this intimate moment for a public audience.