Gallerie des Modes et Costumes Français, 1785, nr. 5, nr. 9, Kopie naar G 39 : Petite Maitresse en Robe a la Polonais (...). c. 1785

Editor: So, this is a print titled "Gallerie des Modes et Costumes Français," dating back to 1785. It looks like it uses etching, engraving, and coloured pencil. There's a woman in an elaborate dress... it almost feels like a satire. It’s so over-the-top! What strikes you most when you look at this piece? Curator: Isn't it glorious? The sheer, unapologetic extravagance of it all! For me, it’s like catching a glimpse into a powdered, perfumed world teetering on the edge of revolution. I can almost smell the rosewater and hear the rustle of silk. The colours are just delightful! I think that to fully understand the piece it's essential to note it wasn’t created in isolation. Remember that those "Gallerie des Modes" prints were more like fashion plates - an aspirational tool for the well-to-do woman and her seamstress, aren’t they? They remind me that fashion isn't always just pretty clothes. Editor: I hadn’t thought of it as aspirational... more like, as you said, pre-revolution extravagance! What about the technique itself, the use of engraving and coloured pencil together? Curator: Ah, that's the genius! The sharp lines of the engraving give it structure, almost like the bones of the garment. The light watercolor then softens it all and gives you those gorgeous colours. Does it strike you as unusual for a print? It’s delicate but somehow also forceful. Also, let us pause to consider that absurd hairpiece, no? Is it architectural? A frivolous fantasy? All of that at once? Editor: You’re right, I see the balance now... the line work against the softness of the color. It makes the details stand out even more. Curator: Exactly. Each of those tiny details whispers a story about status, taste, and the fleeting nature of fashion, of life even. Do you now think it's less silly? Editor: Definitely! I will view similar prints with new eyes and a greater appreciation now.