Le Coquet, No. 185 bis, Paris Figurine, No. 163, ca. 1884, No. 956 : Toilette de Vill (...) c. 1884

This fashion plate was made in Paris around 1884. These images of 'Paris figurines' were part of a vast industry catering to the fashion-conscious, especially women. Here, we see a woman dressed for the city, her elaborate bustle and tight bodice accentuating a particular body shape that was fashionable at the time. The print’s visual codes tell us much about the cultural values of the late 19th century. Consider the emphasis on detail, the careful rendering of fabric and ornamentation, and the implied social status of the wearer. Fashion plates like this weren't simply about clothing; they were about aspiration, class, and the rapidly changing role of women in society. To understand its significance, we might research periodicals, advertisements, and social commentaries of the time. The historian's role is to look beyond the surface, and see this not just as an image of a dress, but as a mirror reflecting the social and institutional forces of its time.