Collection consacrée aux modes d'hommes et de femmes, 1783-1813: La tendre Lisbeth (...) 1783 - 1813

This fashion plate, from a collection spanning 1783 to 1813, offers a glimpse into the sartorial world of late 18th-century France, though it's creator remains anonymous. During this period, fashion became a potent symbol of identity and status. The subject of this plate, "La tendre Lisbeth," embodies the era's ideal of feminine grace, wearing a high-waisted gown with delicate black ribbon details. Yet, this elegance was accessible only to a privileged few, whose garments signified social standing in a world of vast inequality. What stories could her clothing tell? What social performances did she enact? This era saw the rise of fashion as a form of cultural expression, yet also as a marker of class distinction, a phenomenon that continues to resonate today. This image then, offers a looking glass into the complexities of identity, aspiration, and the subtle politics woven into the very fabric of daily life.