Le Monument du Costume 1776 - 1777

Carl Guttenberg created this print, entitled 'Le Monument du Costume', sometime in the late 18th century. It presents an intriguing window into the social rituals and class distinctions of pre-revolutionary France. The scene depicts elegantly dressed women and gentlemen strolling in what appears to be a park, perhaps the gardens of Versailles or a similar aristocratic enclave. Note the elaborate costumes: these were visual markers of status and wealth, signifiers of belonging to a privileged class. The very act of promenading, of displaying oneself in this way, was a performance of social identity, underscoring the rigid hierarchies of the time. The print offers us a glimpse into the values and preoccupations of a society on the brink of upheaval. Understanding this artwork requires research into the sartorial codes, social customs, and political tensions of 18th-century France, examining sources such as fashion plates, etiquette manuals, and political pamphlets. Doing so allows us to see art as a product of specific social and institutional forces.