Elegantia, of tijdschrift van mode, luxe en smaak voor dames, Januari 1807, No. 2: 1. Chapeau de Paille.... 1807

This is a page from the journal Elegantia, dating from January 1807, presenting designs for women's hats. The anonymous artist employs a structured layout, organizing the hat designs in neat rows and columns, suggesting a taxonomy of fashionable forms. Each hat is delineated with fine lines and subtle washes of color, emphasizing shape and texture. The velvety textures and satin trims are evoked through delicate shading, conveying the opulence and refinement sought by the fashion-conscious consumer. The composition invites a reading akin to semiotics; each hat becomes a signifier, communicating social status and taste. The variations in shape, embellishments, and color act as codes, denoting specific meanings within the cultural context of early 19th-century fashion. The artist meticulously details the elements, creating a visual language through which the consumer could decode and adopt the latest trends, reinforcing how fashion becomes a system of signs to negotiate identity and social position.