Demoiselles

Demoiselles is the plural form of the French noun demoiselle, meaning a young unmarried woman or damsel. The term is used in various French-language contexts and has appeared in titles across art, film, and literature, often invoking themes of youth, femininity, or social roles.

The best-known use is Picasso's Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, a proto-Cubist painting created in 1907. Painted in Paris, it presents five female figures with angular, mask-like faces and fractured forms, signaling a radical break with traditional perspective. The work is widely regarded as a foundational moment in the development of Cubism and is housed in the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Another prominent usage is Les Demoiselles de Rochefort, a 1967 French musical film directed by Jacques Demy. Starring Catherine Deneuve and Françoise Dorléac, the film is celebrated for its vivid color, song-and-dance numbers, and optimistic mood, and is considered a classic of French cinema.

Beyond these, the term appears in various other artistic and cultural works, including literature and music, where Demoiselles may evoke notions of youth, elegance, or social context. As a cultural phrase, it remains a recognizable label in francophone art and media.