Portret van een Franse actrice op de rug gezien before 1873

This small photograph of a French actress, seen from the back, was made by Gaston et Mathieu. It captures a moment in the vibrant world of Parisian theatre, a world often fuelled by the images and representations of women. Turn-of-the-century Paris was a place of social upheaval, where the rise of mass media intersected with shifting gender roles. Actresses occupied an interesting position; they were both celebrated and scrutinized. Their images were widely circulated, yet their private lives were subject to intense public speculation. This tension is palpable in the portrait. The actress is positioned away from us, which creates an air of mystery while emphasizing the performance of femininity. It invites us to reflect on the gaze, the act of looking, and the power dynamics inherent in portraiture. The actress, in turn, becomes a mirror reflecting society's complex relationship with femininity and fame.