Artwork
'Polkeuse Parisienne.'
'Polkeuse Parisienne.' is a print by Valentin Sorel. It is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. The lithograph titled *Polkeuse Parisienne* depicts a pair of women dressed for an 18th‑century Parisian opera ball.
About this work
Overview
The lithograph titled *Polkeuse Parisienne* depicts a pair of women dressed for an 18th‑century Parisian opera ball. The composition places a full‑length figure in the foreground, while a smaller, rear‑view of a second costume appears to the left. Both figures wear elaborate attire typical of the period, offering a detailed visual record of contemporary fashion.
Subject & Meaning
The work presents two female figures in opulent ball dress, emphasizing the theatricality of Parisian high society. The foreground woman displays a dark jacket with gold buttons, a green skirt edged in red, and a feathered tricorne hat, suggesting the performative nature of aristocratic display. The secondary figure, shown from behind, reinforces the notion of costume as a social signifier.
Technique & Style
Executed as a lithograph, the image relies on fine line work and tonal shading to render the intricate details of fabric, trim, and accessories. Valentin Sorel’s handling of the medium captures the texture of silk and the sheen of metallic buttons, while the composition balances a realistic portrayal of clothing with a slightly stylized, illustrative quality.
History & Provenance
Created by the French printmaker Valentin Sorel, the piece bears the title *Bals fashionables de L'Opéra. / Polkeuse Parisienne.* It entered the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, where it remains catalogued as an example of early 19th‑century French fashion illustration.
Context
The print reflects the popularity of opera balls in Paris during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, when elaborate dress codes signaled status and taste. Such events were a focal point for the display of the latest sartorial trends, and artists like Sorel produced prints that served both as documentation and as fashionable souvenirs for the public.
Artist & collection
Artist
Valentin Sorel made prints in a modern style. Try his 1987 work Polkeuse Parisienne, a bold, flat-color portrait of a woman in a busy Paris street scene. The sharp outlines and bright shapes feel like a snapshot from…
