Les Parisiennes 1873

Giovanni Boldini painted these Parisiennes with oil on canvas. The artwork offers a glimpse into the private lives of women in Parisian high society, and hints at the changing social roles of women in France during this time. The scene unfolds in a lavishly decorated interior. The women are adorned in elaborate dresses, highlighting their affluence. One woman gazes out the window while the other reads a newspaper, a sign of increasing literacy and awareness of public affairs among women. This brings an important question forward, what was the public role of women? How were they changing during the period in which this was painted? How can the politics of imagery of women be best understood? The artwork's value lies in how it encourages us to consider the social and institutional context that shaped its creation. Investigating sources that shed light on the role of women, the history of fashion, and the cultural values of the time will enrich our understanding of the artwork's significance.