Société des journaux de modes réunis, ca. 1874, No. 154: Modes et Coiffures (...) c. 1874

This is plate number 154, Modes et Coiffures, of the Société des journaux de modes réunis, circa 1874, by A. Portier. Its visual impact stems from the detailed rendering of the garments and the contrasting colours used to define the figures against a lightly sketched background. Notice how the composition uses two standing figures to explore symmetry and difference. One figure is dressed in lilac, the other in shades of blue and black. The artist uses line and colour to create a rich tapestry of textures, from the ruffles of the skirts to the plumes on the hats. What is achieved here is not just a representation of fashion but a study in contrasts. The rendering of textures invites a semiotic reading; each element signifies status, taste, and the complex social codes of the time. The drawing’s emphasis on the artificiality of fashion suggests an engagement with broader themes of representation and the construction of identity. The print invites us to consider how clothing functions as a sign, communicating messages about the wearer's social standing and personal identity.