The Goldsmith Ladies in the Bois de Boulogne in 1897 on a Peugeot cart by Julius Leblanc Stewart (1901) (Les dames Goldsmith au bois de Boulogne en 1897 sur une voiturette Peugeot)

In the 18th and 19th centuries, it was fashionable among wealthy women to travel either on horseback or in elegant carriages, for example in the Bois de Boulogne in Paris. The arrival of the motor car at the end of the 19th century hardly changed the mobility habits of these women at first, as cars were expensive and exclusive. Women from the upper classes soon took over the driving of these new vehicles, which became a new sign of elegance and social status.

The emancipation of women through the automobile is a central theme. Women began to claim the privilege of driving early on, and the first woman was granted a driving licence in 1897. Over the years, women actively participated in motoring and used cars in various social and professional contexts, most prominently during the First World War. After the war, the active role of women in the automobile continued, which profoundly changed the social perception and role of women.

The painting shows how the automobile served as a tool of female emancipation and how women increasingly took on an active role in both private and public life.

The scene is set in a rural or park-like setting, suggesting that the ladies may be on an outing. This reflects the social practice of the time, where wealthy women used motoring as a leisure activity and a way to show off their status and independence.

Resolution 10000 x 6865 px