Chevalière d’Eon - new display in Fragile Art Gallery

illustration of woman in flamboyant dress. Engraved portrait of a person shown from the chest up, facing slightly to the left, wearing a lace-trimmed cap, earrings, and a ribbon choker with a cross pendant. The portrait is set within a decorative rectangular frame. Beneath the image, printed text identifies “D’Eon de Beaumont” and includes a French dedication beginning “À la Mémoire des Héroïnes Françoises,” followed by additional descriptive text.

Who was Chevalière d’Eon?

The Chevalière d’Eon de Beaumont was a French soldier, aristocrat, diplomat, and spy. D’Eon lived the first half of her life as man, and the second half as a woman. Public speculation of D’Eon’s gender shot her to stardom.

This collection of rare prints and books explores D’Eon’s extraordinary life.  The collection is from the R.L Scott Library.

illustration of man and woman fencing on a parchment style paper. Etching of a staged fencing match in an ornate interior. Two figures duel with swords in the foreground—one standing at left with arm extended, the other crouching low at right in a defensive pose—while a large crowd of spectators fills the background behind a draped barrier. Classical columns and decorative curtains frame the scene. A long caption beneath the image describes the event, including the names “D’Eon de Beaumont”.
Image caption: Fencing Match, which took place at Carlton on the 9th of April 1787 between Mademoiselle...D'Eon De Beaumont and Monsieur De Saint George, 1787, published in London, England, paper, ink  © CSG CIC Glasgow Museums Collections
Black-and-white 18th-century satirical engraving of a two-bodied figure standing back-to-back: the left half is a man in period clothing holding a curved sword, and the right half is a woman in an ornate dress with a feathered hat holding a folding fan. The caption below reads, "Hail! Thou Production most uncommon. Woman half-man and man half-Woman."

Representing trans histories

D’Eon is now considered an important transgender historical figure.

Given this fascinating history, Glasgow Life Museums consulted trans people to explore the importance of the Chevalière d’Eon as a trans icon and help to increase the representation of trans histories within Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. 

Listen to the Chevalier d'Eon audio tour and find out more

You can take this tour anytime, but for the best experience, listen to it on a trip to Kelvingrove.

Listen to the tour now

Chevalière d’Eon is open now

Come and visit in the Fragile Art Gallery at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. 

Plan your visit

Image Caption: ‘Charlotte...D'Eon De Beaumont', 1779, T.B. Bradel , published by Desprez, Paris, France, paper, ink  © CSG CIC Glasgow Museums Collections

Image caption: Fencing Match, which took place at Carlton on the 9th of April 1787 between Mademoiselle...D'Eon De Beaumont and Monsieur De Saint George, 1787, published in London, England, paper, ink  © CSG CIC Glasgow Museums Collections

Image Caption: Frontispiece image from An Epistle from Mademoiselle D'Eon to the Right Honourable L..d M....d, 1778, Fourth edition, published in London, England, paper, leather, ink  © CSG CIC Glasgow Museums Collections