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Western society, the back remains a treasure hidden in eroticism veiled by laces, ribbons and hooks that only lovers and chambermaids were allowed to undo.
From the thirteenth century, the train undulated behind the rumps to signify according to its importance the social rank of the one who wore it. Symbol of nobility by its presence and wealth by its dimensions, it becomes synonymous with seduction games from the 1920s.
Rita de Acosta Lydig, a New York socialite, is one of the first to dare to dig her cleavage at the back of her evening dress.
It caused a sensation and scandal during a performance at the Opera House. This first opened the voice to a true mode taken up with happiness by the Hollywood productions to success. The women’s emancipation movement seizes this liberation of a new part of the female body at a time when the codes of beauty are changing.
The cult of tanning replaces that of whiteness and the indentations of town and beach outfits.
During the war, the Hays code forbade showing the actresses’ breasts in the movies, so the bare backs are a wonderful answer to divert this lack of freedom of expression.
Galliera - Backside
© Paris Musées -Pierre Antoine