Gallerie des Modes et Costumes Français, 1778, K.55 1778

Etienne Claude Voysard made this print titled ‘Gallerie des Modes et Costumes Français, 1778, K.55’ in 1778. The image depicts an aristocratic woman wearing a beautiful dress and elaborate wig in France. Fashion plates like this one were produced in great numbers in France. They were originally intended to communicate the latest styles to an elite audience and acted as advertisements for the fashion industry. The print suggests the importance of visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations in creating meaning. During the late 18th century, France was deeply divided by social class, and fashion became a way for the aristocracy to distinguish themselves from the lower classes. Images like these are important historical documents that teach us about the politics of imagery and the social conditions that shape artistic production. We can use sources such as letters, diaries, and newspapers from the time to gain a better understanding of the society that produced this image.