Petit Courrier des Dames, 5 février 1830, No. 699 : Coiffure à la Dona Maria... 1830

This fashion plate was made in Paris, France, in 1830. It's a hand-colored engraving from the journal "Petit Courrier des Dames," a popular periodical that catered to upper-class women interested in the latest styles. Fashion plates like this offer a window into the social and cultural values of the time. In post-revolutionary France, clothing became a powerful signifier of status, wealth, and political leaning. The emphasis on luxury and ornamentation reflected the aspirations of the bourgeoisie who sought to emulate the aristocracy, and the rise of consumer culture. These images were produced in institutional settings, such as publishing houses and design studios, and often with the collaboration of designers, engravers, and colorists. Journals such as “Petit Courrier des Dames” contributed to shaping the perception of what was desirable in fashion. Art historians look at these images to understand how fashion functioned as a form of visual communication and how it was used to negotiate identities and power dynamics in early 19th century society. We also explore how the fashion industry itself operated, and the relationship between fashion, art, and social change.