Les Modes Parisiennes, 1864, No. 1130 : Robes de la Mon.Gagelur (...) 1864

E. Bracquet made this print, Les Modes Parisiennes, in 1864, using engraving and hand-coloring. These were not traditional "art" materials, but they were perfect for circulating information about the latest fashions to a wide audience. Notice the fine lines, etched into the plate by acid, that give the dresses their volume and texture. The hand-applied colors add vibrancy, but also serve to highlight the details of the garments. These details would have been of great interest to the print's audience, as they speak to the labor involved in producing fashionable clothing. The print is not just about aesthetics, though. It’s about the whole industry of fashion, and the skilled work that went into creating these garments. This was before the era of mass production, when most clothes were made by hand, either at home or by professional dressmakers. So, in its own way, this seemingly simple image speaks to broader issues of labor, class, and consumption in 19th-century Paris.