Petit Courrier des Dames, 15 juin 1829, No. 645 : Chapeau de paille de riz... 1829

Curator: This delicate watercolor print is titled "Petit Courrier des Dames, 15 juin 1829, No. 645 : Chapeau de paille de riz..." It's from 1829 and is part of the collection at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: It's incredibly intricate! The detailing on the dresses is amazing. There's a lightness to it, even though the fashions seem so elaborate. Curator: Absolutely. These prints were incredibly popular as a way to disseminate fashion trends. Consider the materials described in the title itself – rice straw hats, cotton dresses, tulle trimming, revealing a complex economy around textile production. It speaks to a growing consumer culture in 19th-century Paris and the role publications played in shaping desire. Editor: Fashion very rarely exists in a vacuum. The very publication, the "Petit Courrier des Dames", positions fashion as information to be consumed and displayed. Where and how these images were disseminated would impact their viewership greatly, no? Curator: Precisely. These fashion plates not only showcased current styles but also promoted ideas of social status and Parisian identity. They also created work. This image had to be printed, painted with watercolors, sold and distributed, often by women. Consider all the hands involved in the production, distribution, and even the wearing of such fashions! Editor: It's a fascinating look at the interplay between art, commerce, and social performance. I never really think of these dainty artworks being tied to wider markets for luxury goods or providing opportunities in creative professions. Curator: It forces us to consider the economic landscape embedded within seemingly frivolous images. The labour practices needed to produce such highly intricate gowns and hats. The political dimension of displaying a dedication to personal dress. Editor: Well, I’ll never look at a fashion plate the same way again. The materials and labor become so visible. Curator: And, I’ll have a heightened awareness to social and economic considerations impacting public life for 19th century Parisians!