Peckacz makes the argument that the philosophes attempted to redefine the influence of the hostesses of the salon from the voices of taste in the aesthetic matter to which the philosophes believed themselves better suited, and rather made the salonnières into the icons of politeness. This ousting of influence by the philosophes, according to Pekacz, the salonnières were judged due to their lack of education seemed to make them unfit for judging anything that could not be gained from the domestic role of women. As a source in understanding salonnières in Old Regime France, Peckacz determines that any influence the salonnière women dissolved at the end of the 18th century. To come to the point, this article provides a possible solution to what Peckacz believes to be the collapse of the Old Regime salonnières in France in the wake of the 19th century and French …show more content…
As these women worked in conjunction with me in the publication of writers, salonnières became the “spokeswoman of literary taste” of Old Regime France (116). In regards to the usefulness as a source in understanding the salonnières in Old Regime France, Wolfgang provides the argument the level of influence the salonnières in Old Regime France possessed over the literary community. In conclusion, Wolfgang’s argument helps shape the idea that while there were Old Regime institutions, such as court and universities, they were too restrictive at the time to become the epicenters of cultural taste and discussion. Therefore, it was the salon that provided such an outlet for both men and women to explore literary themes and works for publishing in the