Observateur des Modes, 1823, No. 297 : Modes Parisiennes : Chapeau en crêp (...) 1823

This print, made by Aaron Martinet in 1823, presents an image of Parisian fashion through the combined techniques of etching and engraving. Consider the crepe, lace, and feathers used to make the hat, the silk of the dress and the fine weave of the shawl. Each of these materials speaks to a network of labor, from silk worm cultivation and textile production to the artistry required for lace making. The techniques of etching and engraving, with their linear precision, translate these tactile qualities into visual form. These were highly developed skills, and the print medium allowed for the wide distribution of fashion trends, fueling the cycles of consumption. Martinet's print isn't just a picture, it's a document of material culture, a visual representation of the complex relationship between production, artistry, and the aspirations of Parisian society. By focusing on the making, we can reveal the economic and social context embedded in this image.