burnedshoes:

© Onésipe (or his brother Olympe) Aguado, ca. 1862, Woman Seen from the Back

This picture is at once a portrait, a fashion plate, and a jest. The elaborate chignon (obviously the handiwork of a skillful maid), the discreet jewelry, and the luxurious fabrics all indicate a woman of rank, the epitome of comme il faut. Although we may be curious to know who she is, her identity may be of less importance than the compelling sense of mystery she projects. A companion image showing the same woman in profile reveals a troubled countenance and a receding chin.

(via mudwerks)