Dame en habit de velours doublé d'hermine c. 1685 - 1690

Robert Bonnart made this print, "Dame en habit de velours doublé d'hermine," using etching and engraving techniques. Look closely and you'll see the ways in which the material informs the appearance of the finished print. The velvety texture of the dress is conveyed through the fine lines of the engraving, while the ermine lining is suggested by delicate etching. These processes have imbued the artwork with social and cultural significance, reflecting the skilled traditions of printmaking and fashion design. The use of luxury materials like velvet and ermine, along with the elaborate design of the dress, speaks to the opulence of the French court and the wealth of the aristocracy. Consider the labor and resources involved in producing such a garment – from the cultivation of silk for the velvet to the trapping of ermine for the fur lining. By examining the materials, making, and context of this print, we gain a deeper understanding of the social and economic forces that shaped it.