Journal des Demoiselles, 1 Septembre 1882, No. 4379 : Toilettes & Modes (...) 1882

This is a print from the Journal des Demoiselles, published in Paris on September 1, 1882. The artist, A. Chaillot, has rendered the image through etching and stipple engraving, then added color. As a fashion plate, the image subtly reinforces the class structure of the time. It presents the fashionable styles of the bourgeoisie, upholding an ideal of feminine beauty and social standing. The journal itself, as a commercial enterprise, catered to this aspirational market, profiting from the desire to emulate the upper classes. Notice the level of detail in the dresses, hats, and even the umbrella – signs of wealth and status in late 19th-century France. To fully understand the significance of this image, we might consult fashion archives, social histories of 19th-century France, and studies of the periodical press. These resources would offer insight into the cultural values and economic forces that shaped the production and consumption of images like this one, and consider fashion as a social practice.