Elegantia, of tijdschrift van mode, luxe en smaak voor dames, Mei 1809, No. 78: Chevelure á l'Enfant... 1809

This delicately rendered print, titled "Elegantia, of tijdschrift van mode, luxe en smaak voor dames, Mei 1809, No. 78," presents an image of refined fashion from the early 19th century. The composition is strikingly vertical, emphasizing the elongated silhouette of the gown and the figure within. The soft, muted palette contributes to an overall sense of understated elegance. The artist's careful attention to detail is evident in the rendering of the dress. The lines create a texture of cascading folds, contrasted by the intricate lace at the hem. The high ruffled collar, known as a "fichu-carine," draws the eye upward. The print serves as a signifier of its time, reflecting societal values around fashion and femininity. The emphasis on verticality and delicate fabric suggests a world where clothing was designed to shape and refine the body, signaling the wearer's status and taste. What the image shows is not just a dress but a complex code of social and cultural ideals.