Gezicht op de binnenplaats van vrouwengesticht la Salpêtrière 1859

Léopold Flameng created this print of the courtyard of the Salpêtrière women's asylum, capturing a scene from an institution with a long and complex history. Originally a gunpowder factory, by the 17th century, it became a hospital, and then an asylum, primarily for women. Flameng's print invites us to consider the treatment of women, particularly those marginalized by society due to poverty, mental illness, or social transgression. These women, often misunderstood, were confined within the walls of Salpêtrière. The figures in the courtyard seem lost in their own worlds, a poignant reminder of the isolation and alienation they experienced. The image subtly critiques the prevailing attitudes towards women who were deemed ‘different,’ suggesting that what society labels as madness or deviance is often a product of social and economic circumstances. It asks us to reflect on how we perceive and treat those who exist outside the norm. The print serves as a somber reminder of the human cost of institutionalization and the ongoing need for compassion and understanding.