Incroyables et Merveilleuses, 1815, Merveilleuse, Pl. V, kopie naar No. 24 1815 - 1955

This print from 1815, titled "Incroyables et Merveilleuses," presents us with a vision of feminine fashion during the post-revolutionary period in France. Though the artist is anonymous, their work captures the Merveilleuse, a woman who embodied the sartorial excesses of the era. The high-waisted gown, adorned with frills and paired with an elaborate feathered headpiece, speaks to a culture seeking novelty and extravagance. These women rejected the aristocracy in favor of a sensuous, liberated identity. Yet, this rejection of traditional norms was largely confined to the upper classes, underscoring the complex relationship between fashion, class, and identity. In many ways, the Merveilleuse can be seen as a precursor to modern celebrity culture, using their bodies as canvases for self-expression, while also reflecting the broader societal shifts of their time. In a world still grappling with the aftermath of revolution, the Merveilleuse offered a glimpse of a future where individual expression reigned supreme, albeit within the confines of privilege.