Gallerie des Modes et Costumes Français, 1782, qq 230 : Robe à l'Anglais (...) 1782

Nicolas Dupin made this print in 1782, part of a series called "Gallerie des Modes et Costumes Français." It depicts a fashionable woman wearing a "Robe à l'Anglaise," or English dress, highlighting the era's obsession with style. The printmaking process itself is crucial here. Intaglio techniques, like etching or engraving, would have been used to create the fine lines and details. These lines are then inked and transferred to paper, producing a series of identical images. It’s a proto-industrial process, allowing for the widespread dissemination of fashion trends. The focus on material and detail in the print – the description specifies gauze fabric, both brocaded and pleated – speaks volumes. The dress signifies luxury and status, but it also hints at the vast labor involved in textile production. The fibers are sourced, spun, woven, and finally tailored. Considering the labor and resources that went into both the making of the garment, and the print of the garment, invites a deeper understanding of the social and economic context of the late 18th century.