Vrouw laat twee andere vrouwen een stuk stof zien 1827 - 1829

Charles Philipon, in the 19th century, created this print, held at the Rijksmuseum, showing a woman displaying fabric to two others. The print exemplifies the rise of consumer culture in France during the period of industrialization and urbanization. We see the emphasis placed on fashion and material goods as markers of social status. The print creates meaning through its visual codes, such as the elaborate dresses and hats of the women. These indicate their belonging to the bourgeoisie. It's also important to consider the institutional history of art during this time. The rise of public museums and art galleries provided new venues for artists to display their work. The popular press drove social trends, which in turn fueled the cultural obsession with fashion. Prints such as this were consumed by the growing middle classes. To understand this artwork better, we can consult period fashion magazines, social histories of 19th-century France, and archival records of art institutions. Approaching art through social and institutional contexts allows us to see art as something historically contingent.