Dimensions: height 216 mm, width 138 mm
Copyright: Rijks Museum: Open Domain
This is a hand-colored engraving, published in Paris in May 1835 and titled "Fashion of Paris" As the title suggests, this print served as a fashion plate, one of many in a periodical intended to showcase current trends. Fashion plates played a crucial role in disseminating style, acting as a visual language that reinforced class distinctions and social expectations. The print is rich with details that social historians can analyze. The attire of the figures reflects the high-waisted, romantic aesthetic of the era. These details are not merely decorative; the cut of a sleeve, the fabric choice, and the accessories all speak to the social and economic status of the wearer. The periodical, Corriere delle Dame, represents the rise of print media and its influence on consumer culture. To fully understand this image, one might consult historical fashion archives, social commentaries from the period, and studies on the rise of consumer culture in 19th-century Europe. The meaning of this art is contingent on the social context in which it was produced, circulated, and consumed.
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