Gallerie des Modes et Costumes Français, 1777-1778, D 19 : Chapeau demi négligé (...) 1778

This print, made in 1777 or 1778 by an anonymous artist, presents an array of elaborate hairstyles, capturing the period's obsession with fashionable excess. Each vignette is meticulously framed, emphasizing the artificiality of the coiffures. The composition is structured around the interplay of form and ornamentation. Note how the towering wigs defy gravity, creating a sense of visual instability, each hairstyle becomes a sculpture. The artist uses delicate lines to render the intricate details of lace, feathers, and ribbons, which adorn the wigs, highlighting the artifice of high society. The pastel color palette contributes to the print's superficial charm but also reveals an underlying commentary on the construction of identity and the role of fashion in society. This image challenges fixed notions of beauty and invites a deeper reflection on the semiotics of appearance.