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Thomas Couture (1815-1879), Alice Ozy, c 1855, French. Oil on canvas. 110.8 x 84 cm. Courtesy of the Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, Ohio (http://www.toledomuseum.org); gift of Mr and Mrs Stanely K. Levison.

During the 19th century thousands of young women from poor families sought careers as actresses in Paris. Few were successful; to make ends meet, some sold their favors. A lucky few became courtesans, well-mannered, cultured women who were highly sought after by those who could afford them. By the time of the reigns of King Louis-Philippe (1830-1848) and Emperor Napoleon III (1852-1870), the courtesan had become a major theme in the fine arts. French Romantic literature, such as Dumas' La dame aux camelias and the novels of Balzac, shows a fascination with the theme. Some of the women, the grand triumvirate of Emilienne d'Alencon, La Belle Otero, and Liane de Pougy, for example, became . . . [Full Text of this Article]

James G. Ravin, MD, MS

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