Petit Courrier des Dames, 10 mai 1835, No. 1157 : Capote en paille de riz (...) 1835

This fashion plate was made in Paris in 1835. It presents the latest styles for wealthy women in France. The image creates meaning through its display of idealized beauty, refined taste, and social status. The woman's clothing and accessories are rendered in exquisite detail, indicating that the artist and publisher catered to a discerning clientele with the financial means to acquire luxury goods. The magazine itself, "Petit Courrier des Dames", was an institution that shaped and reflected the values of the French upper class. We can see a self-conscious conservatism in the design of the dress, which is relatively modest and emphasizes traditional feminine virtues. Art historians can study fashion plates like this one to understand how clothing was used to communicate social status. By consulting primary sources such as fashion magazines, letters, and diaries, we gain insight into the social conditions that shaped artistic production and reception during this time.