Portrait of Sonia 1890

Henri Fantin-Latour painted this portrait of Sonia with oils on canvas, during the late nineteenth century in France. It presents us with a window into the visual culture of the French bourgeoisie. The trappings of wealth, such as her fur stole and feathered hat, declare Sonia's social standing. But the overall tone is quite restrained. During the late 1800s, the rising middle classes sought to emulate the aristocracy. Restraint and decorum were important to their self-image. Thinkers such as Pierre Bourdieu wrote of the importance of 'cultural capital' at this time. Bourdieu saw taste as a social weapon. Fantin-Latour's portrait seems very attuned to this system of visual codes. To better understand this work, we can research not only the artist, but the subject, and the social structures of late nineteenth century France. We can reflect on how artistic production is always shaped by social and institutional forces.