Elegantia, of tijdschrift van mode, luxe en smaak voor dames, September 1809, No. 88: Fichu et bas de Robe... 1809

This fashion plate, made in September 1809, offers us a glimpse into the sartorial tastes of the early 19th century. Here we see a lady shielding her eyes as she gazes into the distance. The gesture of shielding one's eyes appears across time, a motif of anticipation and seeking that recurs in art history, such as in classical depictions of seers or mythological figures scanning the horizon for divine intervention. This simple act transcends mere utility; it speaks to the human desire to foresee and understand what lies ahead. Consider how this act is charged with different meanings throughout time, from religious epics to our modern cinema, where the hero looks towards the horizon. This image plays upon our collective memory of searching, inviting an emotional response that transcends time and cultural context. It reflects our primal instinct of searching for what is ahead. This plate provides not just fashion, but emotion and subconscious associations.