Petit Courrier des Dames, 25 janvier 1830, No. 697 : Diebitsch en drap... 1830

Editor: Right, so this is a print titled "Petit Courrier des Dames, 25 janvier 1830, No. 697: Diebitsch en drap..." created in 1830 by an anonymous artist. It's held at the Rijksmuseum. Initially, it strikes me as a study in contrasts—the softness of the watercolor against the rigidity of the fashion plate format. How do you interpret this work? Curator: Oh, it's delicious, isn't it? Like a whispered secret from another century. For me, it’s a portal—not just into the fashions of 1830, but into the *spirit* of that era. It makes me wonder about the very idea of image-making back then, as an artisan’s hand interpreting what mass media conveys now! Don't you think that's somewhat amusing and sad? Editor: I suppose I hadn't considered it like that. I was focused more on the Romanticism of the style, but your perspective really contextualizes it within media studies. Do you see any symbolism in the details of the clothing? Curator: Absolutely! Fashion was, and is, a language. Notice the plush fur trim. It hints at wealth, of course, but also at a certain… theatricality. A performance of status, played out on the boulevards of Paris. And the way the figure strikes a pose – almost like an actor on stage. Editor: It's a stage then! It's funny how literally they seem to be reading and performing reality, but is that much different than now with all the filtered selfies? I suppose not! Curator: Not a whit! So, what’s the biggest takeaway for you after peering into this little slice of Parisian life? Editor: Definitely thinking about fashion as a language now, and the different modes of media consumption. It’s a lot richer than just pretty dresses. Thank you! Curator: My pleasure! Remember art is a great tool for reevaluating how things may appear!