Journal des Dames et des Modes, Costume Parisien, 1805, An 13 (615) Chapeau de Velours, à Liserets de Satin 1805

Editor: This print, "Journal des Dames et des Modes, Costume Parisien," dating back to 1805, comes to us courtesy of Horace Vernet at the Rijksmuseum. It’s rendered on paper through engraving and drawing and it's delicate... almost like a faded memory. What strikes me is how muted the colours are, but then again, maybe that’s intentional to let the line work speak for itself? I wonder what your thoughts are, looking at this piece? Curator: Ah, yes, an echo of a time when fashion was delivered with a whisper rather than a shout! For me, it’s less about the precise colours and more about the overall mood they evoke. The soft hues really speak to the Romantic era's fascination with the past, a sort of gentle yearning. See how the woman's figure is elongated, almost ethereal? That wasn't just about depicting clothes; it was about idealizing a certain type of feminine beauty. Editor: An interesting way to put it... almost a "soft yearning"... Were these plates widely circulated do you think, sort of like the Vogue of its day? Curator: Exactly! Think of these prints as Instagram for the early 19th century. But, crucially, they also dictated tastes and created desire for those hats and gowns, informing fashion choices across a nation! Also note the subtle details; the empire waistline, the soft drape of the fabric - all signalling a shift away from the rigid styles of previous decades. And don’t forget that tiny "615," casually hinting that it's part of a vast, ongoing series! The "like and subscribe" button of yesteryear. Editor: It's easy to see now that you point out it's about more than just the drawing itself; you are exactly right to note that these plates are documenting the change from more constrained and formal dresses. All that through a simple line drawing. Curator: Well, it's easy to lose ourselves in what we see, so thanks for taking us back to basics: line, drawing, fashion, desire. Food for thought all around!