Journal des Dames et des Modes, Costume Parisien, 1805, An 13 (604) Costume à Demi Négligé 1805

Horace Vernet made this print, "Costume à Demi Négligé," in 1805 for the "Journal des Dames et des Modes." The journal captured the shifting styles of post-revolutionary France, a period where fashion became a powerful emblem of social identity. The woman’s "negligee" gown reflects a broader cultural shift towards simpler, more comfortable styles, influenced by classical Greek and Roman aesthetics. Yet, the term "negligee" is deceptive; it was still a carefully constructed garment, indicative of the wearer's class and status. Note the high waist and the soft, flowing fabric, which departs from the elaborate, restrictive styles of the pre-revolutionary aristocracy. However, fashion was also a tool for expressing individual identity. This print, in its delicate detail, offers a glimpse into the daily lives and aspirations of women navigating a rapidly changing society. Consider what this image might communicate about the wearer's sense of self, and how she wished to be seen by the world.