Gender Roles In French Art

Developments in French Art changed the older attitudes regarding the happy mother and the ideals of the family. During the eighteenth century, the enlightenment figures began to develop new ideals on the happy mother and family. Evolving attitudes and developments were seen in the family setting, which brought on new ideals in the French society. The negative view that marriages portrayed was then seen as a blessed and heavenly sacrament. New ideals regarding children were also developed, as they were cared for by the mother and cared for by a loving family. As in Carol Duncan essay shows motherhood, in Angelica Kauffmann ’s artwork shows motherhood too. The first point is status of women and changing relationship of the women with the family
Happy mother became the central focus as new family ideals were adopted. This essay primarily focuses on the cultural and social aspects of French Art. A difference in social and cultural opinions was seen regarding family and the mother role within the family. French Art moved toward a more child-centered culture and moved towards displaying happy mothers and
Women were viewed as creative while men were seen as a joke to others. Often parents were involved in arranged marriages for their children, for the benefit of the families interests without any regard to the emotions of their children and their own needs or wants. Moreover, this new ideal of family also fought against previous notions of children. Older opinions regarding children, characterized them as greedy individuals and families would not care for their children. It was common for French families to hire wet nurses to care for their children and children would grow up barely knowing much about their parents. Families were not focused around caring for their children instead an essay solution was to hire someone to care their children