Le Journal des Dames et des Demoiselles, 1853 No. 35.. : Edition Belge 1853

This is a colored engraving from 1853, an anonymous print published in Belgium for *Le Journal des Dames et des Demoiselles*. These kinds of fashion plates are fascinating documents. The image provides a snapshot into the visual culture of the mid-19th century. The journal itself served as a crucial conduit for disseminating Parisian fashion trends throughout Europe. It catered to a specific segment of society: affluent women. The Belgian edition catered to local tastes while reinforcing a sense of belonging to a broader European culture. The greenhouse backdrop also alludes to the leisure activities and domestic sphere of upper-class women. Through the journal and similar prints, women and girls were taught how to perform femininity and social status through dress. To fully understand this image, one needs to consult primary sources such as the journal itself, conduct archival research into the fashion industry of the time, and explore the social history of clothing and gender in 19th-century Belgium. In doing so, we appreciate the social and institutional contexts that shape the meaning of art.