Elegantia, of tijdschrift van mode, luxe en smaak voor dames, Augustus 1809, No. 84: 1. Toquet et Cornette... 1809

Curator: Editor: Here we have an image from Elegantia, a magazine of fashion, luxury and taste for ladies, dating back to August 1809. It’s essentially a print, maybe an engraving or a drawing of women’s bonnets. What stands out to me is the level of detail, the intricate work on each hat. What catches your eye about it? Curator: Well, the fact that this image comes from a fashion magazine immediately directs my attention to the context of its production. These aren’t just hats; they are commodities. How were these materials sourced? Who was producing them? The very labor involved intrigues me. What social class did the wearers of these hats belong to? Editor: So you’re thinking about the industry and economy around these fashion items. How the hats are available in such diverse forms also makes one wonder. It's a statement on consumption. I guess it's a global market already back then. The different kind of laces. Curator: Precisely! Let's think about the textiles. Lace was not a cheap material. Where did it come from? How were these hats advertised and sold? Where do you think this fashion print was circulating, and amongst what segment of society? What did such an image mean, back then? Editor: Good question! Most likely urban elites that could read French. How are these "high society" garments related to everyday wear? Are they a status symbol, influencing other materials, or modes of dress and self-presentation? Curator: Exactly! These images and the items depicted contributed to constructing notions of class, taste, and even femininity. We tend to think of high art as disconnected from these "lower" forms, but images such as these really tell us more about production, labor and value systems operating at the time. They invite us to question the very boundaries between art, craft, and commerce. Editor: That gives me a lot to think about! I'm much more aware of the image's implications, considering labor, trade and status!