Journal des Demoiselles, 1 fevrier 1894, No. 4975 bis : Toilettes de Melle Thirion (...) 1894

P. Deferneville created this print of 'Journal des Demoiselles' in 1894 using engraving and stencil coloring. Immediately, one notes the contrast between the subdued background and the vibrant dresses, drawing our eyes to the figures and their attire. The composition subtly questions traditional portraiture by flattening the picture plane. There's a tension between the detailed rendering of the dresses and the sketch-like quality of the room. This tension destabilizes the viewer's sense of space, challenging the conventional illusion of depth. Semiotically, the dresses can be seen as signs of status and femininity, while the interior setting suggests a certain lifestyle. The gazes and postures of the figures suggest a narrative of leisure and social interaction, yet the lack of clear context leaves the story open to interpretation. The stark graphic quality combined with intricate detail reveals an interest in how the language of fashion communicates identity. Through the artwork's structure, Deferneville asks us to consider the codes and meanings that construct our understanding of beauty and class.