Gallerie des Modes et Costumes Français, 1782, qq 234 : Deshabillé à l'Anglaise de tafetas.. 1782

Nicolas Dupin created this print, titled 'Deshabillé à l'Anglaise de tafetas,' around 1782, during a time of shifting social and fashion norms in France. This image captures the style of "negligée" or undress, à l'Anglaise, reflecting an embrace of more casual styles influenced by English fashion. Yet, it's a carefully constructed informality. The woman’s breasts are emphasized, while her posture and layered garments speak to the complexities of femininity and class during this period. The delicate lace and opulent fabric denote a certain status, even in supposed ‘undress’. The text at the bottom of the image indicates its commercial purpose, part of a series documenting and disseminating the latest trends. The print offers us a glimpse into the visual culture of the late 18th century, where fashion was not merely about clothing but also about the performance of identity. How might this carefully constructed image challenge or reinforce the social expectations placed on women of the time?