Woman in a Tiered Gown with a Large Bow 1815 - 1892

This is an ink and watercolor work by Constantin Guys, likely made in mid-19th century France. It depicts a woman in a lavishly tiered dress, complete with a large bow. The quick, fluid strokes of ink and watercolor give the image a sense of spontaneity, almost like a fleeting glimpse. But consider what's being depicted. The dress, with its multiple layers and oversized embellishment, speaks to the height of couture fashion at the time, and of course, the labor required to create such a garment. These processes all involve skilled seamstresses and dressmakers. Guys, who worked as an illustrator for much of his career, was fascinated by the spectacle of modern life, and he captured its ephemerality in his characteristically brisk style. In his hands, the details of fashion, such as the cut of a dress or the size of a bow, become signifiers of social status and the complex economies of taste. In appreciating this drawing, it's important to remember the broader context of its making. By emphasizing materials, making, and context we can break down traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.