Staande dame met waaier before 1784

Pierre Thomas Le Clerc created this drawing of a standing lady with a fan sometime between 1740 and 1820. The drawing provides a glimpse into the fashion and social norms of the late 18th century. The image is rich with visual codes and cultural references. The elaborate dress and the high, powdered wig adorned with flowers were symbols of status among aristocratic women in countries like France. The fan was not just a practical item but also a fashion accessory, used to communicate subtly in social situations. This was a period defined by rigid social hierarchies, and clothing played a crucial role in signaling one's position. Institutions such as the royal court and the fashion industry dictated these trends, which were then disseminated through prints and drawings. The image invites us to consider the role of art in reflecting and reinforcing social structures. By studying fashion plates and other visual documents, historians can reconstruct the values and beliefs of past societies. The meaning of art is contingent on its social and institutional context.