Revue de la Mode, Gazette de la Famille, dimanche 1er Août 1886, 15e Année, No. 761: Etoffes de la M.on Le Houssel (...). 1886

This fashion plate, by A. Chaillot, appeared in the Revue de la Mode, a French family magazine, in August 1886. It presents us with an intriguing snapshot of bourgeois life in France during the late 19th century. The image creates meaning through visual codes that would have been easily understood by its contemporary audience. The cut of the dresses, the elaborate hats, and the presence of a well-groomed dog all speak to the status and aspirations of the women depicted. This was a time of rapid industrialization and shifting social hierarchies, and fashion played a key role in defining and negotiating these changes. Magazines such as Revue de la Mode played an important role in shaping tastes and influencing consumer behavior. They acted as vehicles for both promoting new styles and reinforcing traditional notions of femininity. Understanding art requires an appreciation of its original social and institutional context. With resources like period magazines, historical archives, and fashion history, we can begin to understand the complex relationship between art, culture, and society.