[Study of Legs]
Pierre-Louis Pierson French
Not on view
The countess enjoyed transgressing the standards of propriety for women of her social class. By addressing herself directly to male fantasies of the day, fixated on women's legs concealed by modesty and the demands of fashion, the countess unashamedly drew inspiration from actresses and dancers from the variety theater, who wore stockings intended to tone down the shocking indecency of such a spectacle. She commited a double transgression when she had both her legs photographed naked, without protective stockings, as only low-class prostitutes and models dared. The photograph, however, shows only the lower part of the body, thereby concealing the sitter's identity.
This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.
This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.