Collection consacrée aux modes d'hommes et de femmes, 1783-1813, No. 101 : L'Agaçante Alziane coeffé (...) 1783 - 1813

This fashion plate from between 1783 and 1813, created by an anonymous artist, captures a woman in attire that speaks volumes about the era's shifting social codes. Fashion plates served as a looking glass into the aspirations and identities of the late 18th-century woman. This particular print offers a glimpse into the performative aspects of gender and class. She is dressed in a modest robe and bonnet, yet named "L'Agaçante Alziane" which translates to 'The Annoying Alziane'. This highlights the conflicting messages women received and the societal expectations placed upon them. The olive branch embroidery subtly hints at a desire for peace, perhaps reflecting the political turbulence of the time. The act of holding the rose to her face could symbolize beauty and fragility but might also suggest a certain affectation, a performance of sensibility expected from women of her status. The attire reflects an emotional landscape of demureness but also a quiet assertion of self. Consider how such images both shaped and reflected the negotiation of identity and expression. This artwork prompts us to reflect on the individual woman within the broader context of societal expectations and personal agency.