Gallerie des Modes et Costumes Francais, 1778, E 30 : Coeffure a l Irlandois (...) 1778

This anonymous print from 1778, now held in the Rijksmuseum, offers a glimpse into the extravagant world of French fashion, showcasing elaborate hairstyles. Dominating these images are the towering wigs adorned with flowers, feathers, and ribbons—symbols of status and wealth in pre-revolutionary France. But these aren't merely fashion statements. The elevated hairstyles echo earlier eras, reminding us of the high headwear of women in the Renaissance. Consider the "hennin" headdress of the 15th century, a cone-shaped structure that also signified nobility. Here, in 18th century France, the style resurfaces, transformed yet retaining its original message of exclusivity. The flowers woven into the hairstyles evoke a sense of fleeting beauty, a memento mori amidst the opulence. We see a culture grappling with its own mortality, adorning itself with symbols of life even as societal turmoil brewed beneath the surface. This image captures the cyclical nature of fashion, where the past is constantly reinterpreted, reflecting our ever-evolving desires and anxieties.