The Belle Époque was known as a time of luxury for those in the middle class. This was the time between the Franco-Prussian war and the First World War, so the middle class was able to sneak its way into the wealthy way of life along with the nobility. The photos below show the beauty all around the world, as the Belle Époque applied to other countries including the US. It was generally referred to as the Golden Age, there, and it coincided with all sorts of other historical times in varying times.
The dresses and levels of decadence vary from dress to dress and from the level in society, too. It’s interesting to see how the styles different from culture to culture, each one showing a different representation of how the middle class lived. Some have titles, while others don’t. Some are more simply dressed in “working clothes” whereas other women have their Sunday finest on and their hair is done just so. Additionally, some women seem to be more relaxed and enjoying themselves, whereas many of them (especially in the fancy clothing) is It’s important to remember that this portraits would be one of the only ones done in their time, so they would want to ensure that they had their best foot forward when posing for one.
Whatever culture you look at, it’s easy to see how the beauty of each class is represented. These photos are especially moving when you compare them to the same people years before or after (for those who had other portraits) and see how the riches changed over time. It gives us a solid window to look into and see into the world that is so foreign to us in today’s day and age. However you want to think about it, these photos show us a different world. (source: vintag.es)
