Journal des Dames et des Demoiselles, 15 Novembre 1872, no. 1089B 1872

Jules David made this fashion plate in 1872, using a combination of engraving and hand-coloring. What's fascinating is the way this print acts as a mediator between the world of haute couture and the wider public. The linear precision comes from the engraving process, which would have been painstaking, requiring highly skilled hands to translate the latest styles into a visual format. The addition of color, likely applied by a team of workers, brings a sense of vibrancy and life to the image, mirroring the elaborate textiles and trimmings of the dresses themselves. Prints like these played a crucial role in disseminating fashion trends, acting almost like a proto-Instagram for the late 19th century. They speak to the burgeoning consumer culture of the time, where the latest styles were increasingly accessible, not just to the elite, but to a growing middle class. You can also see the labor that went into the production of both the image and the clothes depicted, reflecting the complex dynamics of industrialization and consumption. It all invites us to reflect on the relationship between art, fashion, and the wider social context in which they are created and consumed.