At a time when women were often expected to fade into the background, “Les Parisiennes” weren’t afraid to make their presence known.   These women emerged in early 1870s France as a powerful symbol of defiant confidence, even as the nation struggled to rebuild in the aftermath of the Franco-Prussian War. They were bold. They were glamorous. They glided through the streets of Paris, effortlessly elegant in eye-catching outfits that demanded attention.   But their significance was more than their fashion. They stepped fearlessly into spaces once dominated by men. You can find them immortalized in the work of French impressionists. Édouard Manet’s “The Railway” is a perfect example. His fashionably dressed model, Victorine Meurent, stares at the viewer directly and unapologetically, embodying a new vision of modern womanhood.   Explore our exhibition, #Paris1874: The Impressionist Moment,” on view through January 19. Learn more at the link in our bio. . . . . #art #paris #manet #french #f...