The 19th Century Parisian: Social Hierarchy and Female Sexuality Through the Lens of Impressionist Art and Naturalist Literature

Abstract

Throughout the 19th century, the formation of modern, industrial Paris resulted in a dramatic rise in prostitution. An intense period of urbanization resulting from an ever increasing fixation with commodification and industrialization, in addition to the relentless objectification and sexualization of women at the hands of the patriarchy, acted as a catalyst for the commodification of women (partiuclarly those associated with the working class) - a phenomenon that was to capture the attention of numerous 19th century artists and writers.