Journal des Dames et des Modes, Costumes Parisiens, 15 décembre 1835, (3328): Habits deublés de soi (...) 1835

This is an engraving by Louis Marie Lanté, made in France, for the Journal des Dames et des Modes in 1835. It captures the fashions of Parisian high society. But it also presents a tableau of social life. Note how the figure on the right, in a light-colored vest and tightly fitted trousers, stands confidently before the fireplace, displaying his elegance. He is an active participant in the rituals of fashionable life. In contrast, the figure on the left reclines in his chair, passively observing. His dark suit blends into the background and we get the sense that he is maybe not keeping up with fashions. These visual cues speak volumes about social status and individual agency during this period. Publications such as the Journal des Dames et des Modes played a crucial role in shaping and disseminating these standards. To truly understand this image, we can consult archival materials such as fashion plates, periodicals, and personal correspondence, which provide insight into the values and aspirations of the time.