Demi-Monde II 57 1858 - 1868

This is André-Adolphe-Eugène Disdéri's, 'Demi-Monde II 57', a photographic portrait made in France during the mid-19th century. Disdéri, a pioneer of the carte de visite, captured the burgeoning societal types in Parisian society. Here, we see a woman identified as belonging to the 'demi-monde' – a class of women living on the fringes of legitimate society, often associated with courtesanship or unconventional lifestyles. This photographic work raises questions about female identity and representation in a rapidly changing social landscape. The backdrop and props, while staged, offer a glimpse into the constructed nature of identity, and the performance of social roles. The woman's gaze carries a sense of defiance or challenge. Disdéri's photograph, while ostensibly a commercial product, also serves as a social document. It encapsulates the tensions and ambiguities surrounding women's roles, class distinctions, and moral judgements. It invites reflection on the complexities of identity formation and the ways in which individuals navigate societal expectations.