Journal des Dames et des Modes, Paris, November 6, 1802.
“Coeffure orneé d’une Flèche et d’un Peigne renversé.”
This beautiful print shows a woman painting. In her right hand she holds a palette and several brushes of various sizes. Her unseen left hand holds a mahlstick, a tool that can be placed across a painting to steady a painter’s work hand. And her arms are covered in protective sleeves. All suggest she is a serious painter, even perhaps a professional artist, as she is not creating a simple small watercolor, but a large oil portrait of a young man.
Since the late 18th century, many French women painters had reached impressive heights of artistic achievement and professional success. Some were ranked among the most sought-after portrait artists in Paris, including Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun and Adélaïde Labille-Guiard. Perhaps this print is a tribute to these successful women, or an inspiration for aspiring female artists.
In terms of fashion, her ensemble is very simple. She wears a white under-dress, of which we only see the short sleeves. Over it is worn a sleeveless yellow dress that buttons up the back. She wears a grayish protective apron tied at the high waist, with a large pocket on the side to hold other artist’s materials. Her yellow slippers match the overdress.
The description below the print only mentions the ornaments in her hair: a cupid’s arrow and a comb.
There is no signature of the artist, but it has the look of Carle Vernet, who was a master at rendering the drape of fabric.
