Parijzenaar in modieus kostuum 1820

François Grenier made this print, “Parijzenaar in modieus kostuum”, which translates to “Parisian in fashionable costume,” sometime in the first half of the 19th century. At this time, fashion was not merely about aesthetics; it was a visual language of class and social aspiration. Here, Grenier presents us with a man embodying bourgeois ideals, dressed in a long coat and top hat, symbols of status and respectability. Yet, notice the two smaller figures in the background; they serve as a subtle reminder of the working class. The print is a study in contrasts, highlighting the sartorial differences that defined social strata in post-revolutionary France. What does it mean to be fashionable, and who gets to decide? The “Parisian” embodies the emotional weight of social expectations and the performance of identity. Grenier’s print doesn't just show clothing, it illustrates the complex relationship between appearance, identity, and power.