De modieuze jongeman 1675

Giuseppe Maria Mitelli made this etching, "De modieuze jongeman," using the relatively common materials of ink and paper. What's interesting is how Mitelli employed the repeatable process of etching, traditionally used for disseminating information, to capture a fashionable character. The sharp, reproducible lines emphasize the elaborate costume, itself a product of skilled labor and material wealth. We see the feathery hat, the layered ruffles, and even the peculiar shoe decorations, each element suggesting the time, effort, and expense required for their creation. The print hints at the culture of consumption that was emerging during Mitelli's time. It invites us to consider how fashion, like printmaking, was becoming a form of mass communication, a way to express and negotiate social status. The very act of creating and circulating this image speaks to a growing awareness of style and its cultural significance. By focusing on the materials and processes involved, we gain a richer understanding of the artwork's meaning, blurring the lines between art, craft, and the social world.