Elegantia, of tijdschrift van mode, luxe en smaak voor dames, December 1807, No. 30 : Capote de Lévantin (...) 1807

Editor: This watercolour illustration from 1807 is titled 'Elegantia, of tijdschrift van mode, luxe en smaak voor dames'. It depicts a woman in a delicate 'capote,' a Levantine-style coat. The lines are so precise and graceful. What is your take on it? Curator: Well, beyond its aesthetic charm, this piece offers a fascinating glimpse into the societal constructs of early 19th-century femininity. What do you notice about the woman's posture and attire, especially within the historical context of fashion as a marker of status and identity? Editor: The coat looks almost like a dressing gown, not really practical. Was fashion more about appearance than function back then? Curator: Exactly! This 'negligee' style reflects the rise of domesticity and leisure among affluent women. Think about how clothing reinforced class distinctions, and even constricted women's roles in the public sphere. Can you see the subtle power dynamics at play? The light colour and fragile materials—who do you think could wear these clothes in a practical sense? Editor: Not someone working in a field, that's for sure! So, fashion was like a uniform, signalling status and limiting social mobility? Curator: Absolutely. These fashion plates, circulated widely, not only dictated trends, but also reinforced societal norms. How might we read this image through a contemporary, intersectional lens, considering the historical exclusion of marginalized bodies from these spaces of ‘luxury and taste’? Editor: That's powerful! It reframes the artwork as less about beauty and more about social commentary. I’m struck by how much history is woven into what I initially perceived as a simple fashion plate. Curator: Indeed, by engaging with the sociopolitical dimensions, we unravel hidden narratives and foster critical dialogue. I agree. It moves beyond just 'pretty dresses'.