Journal des Luxus und der Moden 1790, Band V, T.34 1790

This hand-colored print was made by Friedrich Justin Bertuch, as part of the Journal des Luxus und der Moden in 1790. It gives us a glimpse into the world of luxury and fashion in late 18th-century Germany, a period defined by rigid social hierarchies and the growing influence of French culture. Bertuch's journal was more than just a fashion magazine. It reflected the aspirations of the German upper classes to emulate the elegance and sophistication of the French court. The woman's elaborate gown, towering hairstyle, and feathered hat, all speak to the importance of display and status in this society. But this image can also be seen as a document of cultural exchange and adaptation, as German artists and designers sought to interpret and incorporate foreign trends into their own work. Fashion plates like this one offer invaluable insights into the social and cultural values of the time, and historians use a range of resources to understand them, from costume collections and etiquette manuals to diaries and letters.