Plate III from Cabinet Des Modes 1 - 1786

This is Plate III from Cabinet Des Modes, made by A.B. Duhamel as an etching with hand coloring. It depicts a fashionable woman of the late 18th century. Focus on the printmaking process itself, which involved transferring an image onto a metal plate, etching it with acid, and then using this matrix to produce multiple impressions. The hand-coloring adds another layer of labor, further enhancing the print’s appeal. These fashion plates functioned as an early form of consumer culture, fueling desires for luxury goods. The printmaking medium allowed for wide distribution, shaping tastes and aspirations across social classes. But it also underscores the stark economic realities of the time. While some people could afford to wear such lavish garments, others could not. It is a reminder that fashion, then as now, is deeply entwined with social status and economic inequality. By examining its materials and production, we can appreciate the complex interplay between art, commerce, and society in 18th-century France, challenging our assumptions about both art and craft.