Gallerie des Modes et Costumes Français, Pl. 172, kopie naar 1784, vv.254: Dame en sincère et fidèle ami (...) 1784 - 1912

Pierre Adrien Le Beau made this print around 1784, as part of the ‘Gallerie des Modes et Costumes Français.’ This image captures a woman of the French upper class, embodying the fashion and ideals of her time. The elaborate dress, complete with a wide hat, emphasizes the wealth and status of the sitter. Yet, this image also presents a narrative of gender and identity, with the sitter portrayed in a moment of domestic tranquility with her dog. The French text at the bottom describes the sitter as sincere and faithful, suggesting the virtues admired in women of the era. However, this image also serves as a historical document reflecting the societal expectations and constraints placed on women, whose identities were often bound to their roles in the domestic sphere. It asks us to consider the relationship between fashion, identity, and social expectations in 18th-century France.