Kabinet van mode en smaak 1791, pl. VIII 1791

This print, titled ‘Kabinet van mode en smaak 1791’ translates as ‘Cabinet of Fashion and Taste.’ It was printed in 1791 using etching and engraving, then delicately hand-colored. The print depicts the styles that were fashionable at the time, including the dress of the lady in the image. Fabrics such as linen, silk, and wool were carefully selected for their qualities of drape, texture and color. Garments were constructed in layers using hand sewing techniques and required great skill. Details such as the ruffled collar would have required additional labor. The print offered to a growing consumer class the possibility of engaging with fashion, even from a distance. It is a reminder that even in pre-industrial times, the allure of trends played a role in shaping people’s identities and aspirations. By understanding the materials, making and context, we recognize this print’s wider social significance, and the links between art, fashion, and society.