Gallerie des Modes et Costumes Français, 1785, nr. 23, nr. 45, Kopie naar M 72 : Demoiselle en caracot (...) c. 1785

Pierre Gleich created this print, "Gallerie des Modes et Costumes Français, 1785," as a mirror reflecting the aspirations and constraints of late 18th-century French society. Fashion plates like this one were not merely about clothing. They were deeply embedded in the era’s social fabric, dictating and reflecting the codes of class and gender. The "Demoiselle en caracot" presents an ideal of femininity marked by elaborate attire and an almost theatrical presentation of self. Consider how the layers of fabric and ornamentation served to construct a very specific identity, one that simultaneously signified status, wealth, and adherence to social norms. Yet, there’s also a sense of performance here. The woman is, in essence, playing a role. The print captures a moment in time when personal expression was carefully managed and curated. We might ask ourselves, what does it mean to be both confined and defined by such rigid expectations? How does fashion become both a tool and a cage? This image invites us to consider the intricate dance between identity, performance, and social expectation.