Petite Galerie Dramatique, 1796-1843, No. 228: Costume de Baptist (...) 1796 - 1843

This print from 1796 to 1843, currently held in the Rijksmuseum, depicts a theatrical costume, likely for a character named Baptiste. The artist remains anonymous. The composition features a full-length figure set against a blank background, drawing our eye to the intricate details of the costume. Note the vertical stripes of the overcoat and the waistcoat with its contrasting horizontal lines, creating a dynamic interplay of patterns. This juxtaposition challenges the eye, disrupting any easy sense of visual harmony. The carefully rendered details of the clothing and accessories are also notable, from the ruffled jabot to the monocle. These elements work together to create a persona, a constructed identity that invites us to consider the role of clothing in shaping perception. This costume, through its deliberate design, communicates ideas about status, identity, and theatricality, reflecting the social and cultural codes of its time. We are left to wonder: what does it conceal, and what does it reveal?