Le Progrès, for the Bulletin of Fashion, New York, No. 110, from Modes de Paris 1859

This fashion plate, printed on paper, was made for the Bulletin of Fashion in New York. This type of image, intended for a mass audience, reflects the rise of consumer culture in the 19th century. The printmaking process, likely lithography, allowed for the efficient reproduction of detailed images. Note the textures of the fabrics, the cut of the suits, and the overall elegance of the scene. These details were carefully rendered through skilled handwork, such as carving the image onto a printing stone, or engraving it onto a metal plate. Consider the labor involved, not only in producing the print itself, but also in the design and creation of the garments depicted. From textile production to tailoring, clothing manufacture relied on the work of many hands. The fashion plate obscures this reality, presenting an idealized vision of upper-class life, where consumption appears effortless. In its celebration of style, the print also reflects the social and economic structures that underpinned the fashion industry, and the cultural values of the time. By acknowledging these material and social dimensions, we can gain a deeper understanding of the image and its place in history.