Jonge man in Spaans kostuum 1722 - 1784

Michel Barthélémy Ollivier made this print of a young man in Spanish costume sometime in the mid-18th century. The artwork speaks to the fashion for adopting foreign styles that was common among the European elite. Consider the choice of Spanish dress here, which was closely associated with courtly elegance. In France, the Spanish Hapsburg dynasty was seen as an enviable model of centralized power, even while the two countries were rivals in war. This image thus invokes the politics of imagery. We might ask, what does it mean to adopt a costume from another country? The image also raises questions about cultural appropriation and the complex relationship between imitation and authenticity. Was the French monarchy in competition with Spain? To better understand the significance of this artwork, it's helpful to look at period fashion plates, conduct genealogical research into the noble family depicted, and examine historical documents relating to the French court. Art is contingent on these social and institutional contexts.