Journal des Dames et des Modes, editie Frankfurt 1 septembre 1806, Costume Parisien (36): Coeffure à L'enfant. Canezou en fichu. 1806

Curator: Before us is a print from an issue of *Journal des Dames et des Modes*, out of Frankfurt from September 1, 1806. Its subtitle indicates it shows a "Parisian Costume," specifically a hairstyle *à l'enfant* and a *canezou en fichu*. Editor: It's strikingly simple. The color palette is minimal, almost ghostly. But that high-waisted silhouette is immediately recognizable. Very delicate. Curator: It perfectly embodies the neo-classical style, influenced by the rediscovery of ancient Greek and Roman art. Fashion plates like this were essential in disseminating these styles. The periodical itself served as a vital organ in circulating cultural tastes and societal values of the period. Editor: I'm curious about the labor involved. Prints like this needed to be rapidly produced but maintain quality. Consider the typeset, the ink production and distribution; someone engraved the initial design and then had to add the color… all demanding precise skill, not unlike the fine needlework they showcased. Curator: Absolutely, these fashion plates held considerable socio-political influence. This print exemplifies an aesthetic linked to wealth and social status but also the post-revolutionary desire to codify modes of representation tied to notions of freedom and appropriate femininity. Notice how this plate subtly emphasizes proper attire and comportment, serving as a guide for its readers. Editor: It almost feels like an instruction manual, outlining the fabrics and silhouettes that dictated how the aspirational dressed. Yet, the colors seem carefully chosen. Nothing loud or jarring – perhaps to reflect the times as conservative forces gradually settled on fashion as an arbiter of taste, reinforcing societal stratification through textile choices. Curator: Indeed. Publications like this helped to define, solidify, and distribute cultural values and norms among a specific class. The focus wasn't simply clothing but a whole system of taste and social expectations. Editor: Looking at the means of reproduction and the skilled labor inherent, one can start unpacking the complicated politics of representation. And consider the dissemination process - how easily can fashion influence those on the fringes of fashionable society. Curator: It's fascinating how such seemingly simple illustrations served to enforce hierarchies through style. Thank you, this helps frame this deceptively plain image and allows for a better understanding of it in its contemporary world. Editor: Likewise. Highlighting the materials and techniques behind such an artwork shifts one's interpretation, and further examines it beyond representation.