Gallerie des Modes et Costumes Français, 1787, mmm 348 : 1. Petit Maître en Habit moucheté (...) 1787

Nicolas Dupin created this print from the 'Gallerie des Modes et Costumes Français' in 1787. Here, we see an elegantly dressed man presented within a decorative frame. The fur trim is the most visually dominant, adorning the top of the frame and suggesting luxury and warmth. Fur has long been a symbol of status and protection, dating back to ancient times when animal skins were essential for survival. Across cultures, from the royal robes of emperors to the ceremonial attire of indigenous peoples, fur signifies power and prestige. Consider how, in earlier Renaissance portraits, fur collars and cuffs denoted wealth and nobility. This motif resurfaces here, transformed into a fashionable accessory. The cyclical progression of such symbols reveals how deeply ingrained these associations are. Fur, like fashion itself, becomes a means of expressing identity and social standing, engaging viewers on a subconscious level with its implications of wealth and privilege.