On friendship between men and women – culture and sociabilities in the Enlightnement salons

Abstract

The aim of this article is to reflect on the friendship relationships between men and women in the context of the Enlightenment. Such approach of an issue that has been seldom dealt with in gender studies arose from reading the book “Rahel Varnhagen: the life of a Jewess”, written by Hannah Arendt and published in 1957. Rahel Varhnagen (1771-1833) was a very famous woman in her time, for her friendships and for the social gatherings she entertained at her house for 11 years. She was thus able to create a cultural space in which social and gender gaps were bridged in favor of a sociability marked by culture, civility and, most importantly, by friendship. With this book as a reference and Rahel´s life experience, this article seeks to understand the constitution of these unique public spheres which were the European salons of the 18th century, so as to ponder on the mixed and heterosocial friendships which brought men and women together.