Magasin des Modes Nouvelles Françaises et Anglaises, 1787, kopie naar 20 décembre 1786, 4e cahier, Pl. 1 1787

This is a copy made in 1787 by J.J. Tuttot of Plate 1 from the 4th issue of Magasin des Modes Nouvelles Françaises et Anglaises, dating to December 20, 1786. The print presents us with a poised figure, framed by clean lines, emphasizing the structure of the fashion it depicts. Observe how the pastel palette, dominated by greens and pinks, evokes a sense of delicacy. The artist's meticulous rendering of fabric textures invites a tactile experience. This image appears at a pivotal moment when fashion was not merely clothing, but also a signifier of social and cultural values. This print's circulation reflects an emerging democratization of fashion, mirroring broader shifts in societal structures. The ensemble's complex layering challenges fixed notions of identity, engaging with contemporary discourses around representation and self-presentation. Note the subject's elaborate hat, a focal point that draws the eye upwards, underscoring the artificiality and performance inherent in high fashion of the period. This detail prompts us to consider how artifice destabilizes established meanings, and highlights fashion's role within a larger cultural and philosophical discourse.