L'Indiscret, 1823, No 5, Modes Françaises: Robe de Barrèg (...) 1823

This is "L'Indiscret, Modes Françaises No. 5," a fashion plate made in 1823, in France. It depicts a woman in a yellow dress sitting at a table with a child standing next to her. Fashion plates like this one played a crucial role in shaping and disseminating ideas about style and social status in the early 19th century. They served as a kind of proto-advertising, showcasing the latest trends in clothing, hairstyles, and accessories. The image creates meaning through its visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations. The woman's elegant dress and elaborate hairstyle signify her upper-class status, while the child's presence highlights the importance of family and lineage in French society. Fashion plates not only reflected the social structures of their time, but also actively participated in shaping them. They helped to construct and reinforce notions of femininity, class, and national identity, and they provide valuable insights into the cultural values and norms of 19th-century France. Examining these kinds of images, alongside other documentary sources, allows us to consider the social conditions that shape artistic production.