Staande vrouw in een japon 1710 - 1772

Petrus Johannes van Reysschoot created this red chalk drawing, "Staaande vrouw in een japon," offering us a glimpse into the sartorial styles and social structures of the 18th century. From the back view, a woman is adorned in a lavish gown that epitomizes the rococo era’s excess. The dress with its wide panniers and elaborate folds, speaks volumes about the wearer’s status and the era’s obsession with outward appearances. What's particularly striking is the way the dress shapes the female form. It is both a symbol of empowerment and confinement. These garments, while beautiful, dictated posture and movement, reflecting the limited roles prescribed to women in that period. Reysschoot doesn’t offer any alternative narrative, but rather maintains the traditional representation, emphasizing how women’s identities were often interwoven with their attire. This artwork serves as a poignant reminder of the complex relationship between fashion, identity, and societal expectations.