Man met een hoed en een vrouw met een hoed en parasol 1750 - 1809

David Alphonse de Sandoz-Rollin produced this sketch of a man and woman with hats and a parasol, sometime in the late 18th century. In its unassuming way, this small drawing opens a window onto the social codes of the time. In late 18th century Europe, fashion was far more than a matter of personal taste. Clothing signaled social status, gender roles, and even political allegiances. Hats and parasols, like the ones depicted here, were particularly potent markers of gentility. The parasol, for instance, was not just a practical item but a symbol of refinement, protecting delicate complexions from the sun. Who were these figures? And what was the occasion? Perhaps research into fashion plates, etiquette manuals, and other visual and textual sources from the period could bring us closer to understanding the cultural context of this seemingly simple sketch. The point for us as historians is to recognize that even the smallest artwork can offer insights into the social structures of its time.