Costumes de Paris / Paryssche costuemen 1800 - 1833

Philippus Jacobus Brepols created this print called 'Costumes de Paris' sometime between the late 18th and early 19th centuries, offering us a glimpse into the everyday attire of Parisians. Notice how these figures are not merely wearing clothes, but embodying roles and identities through their costumes. Consider the clown, an archetype whose roots go deep into the past, from ancient theatrical traditions to the commedia dell'arte. The clown persists through time. Here, he is seen with his traditional attire and noisemaker. The exaggerated features and playful antics invite both laughter and a sense of unease, a duality that speaks to our complex relationship with humor and satire. The image taps into something primal, a collective memory of archetypal figures that transcend time. These figures evoke an emotional resonance, echoing through the corridors of history and resurfacing in our collective consciousness.