Journal des Luxus und der Moden 1790, Band V, T.7 1790

Friedrich Justin Bertuch created this fashion plate around 1790 for the Journal des Luxus und der Moden, using engraving to meticulously capture the details of aristocratic fashion. The composition is neatly bisected, featuring two oval vignettes showcasing elaborate headwear and upper body garments. The subdued palette focuses our attention on the ornate designs. Bertuch employs a delicate network of fine lines to delineate form, texture, and shadow, granting depth to the intricate details of lace, ribbons, and fabric folds. The controlled and precise lines create a structural foundation that articulates each element clearly. These details capture the era’s fascination with ornamentation. The very act of cataloging fashion in visual form suggests an attempt to codify and control the transient nature of style. These sartorial elements reflect social status, and engage with the semiotic system of signs that dictated aristocratic identity. This print doesn't just display fashion, it actively participates in the cultural construction of luxury and modernity.