La Mode Artistique, ca. 1873, No. 51 : Toilette de ville c. 1873

This print, titled *La Mode Artistique*, or *Artistic Fashion*, appeared in France around 1873. Created by an anonymous artist, it reflects the cultural obsession with fashion and femininity during the late 19th century. Fashion plates like this were a vital tool of empire building. They offered a glimpse into the lives of the haute bourgeoisie while enforcing rigid ideals of beauty. Here, the woman’s identity is subsumed by her attire. The elaborate gown, adorned with layers of ruffles and bows, signifies wealth and status, yet also confines the wearer. In contrast to traditional representations, her gaze is averted, her body turned away, suggesting a quiet resistance. The artist plays with tension of visibility and invisibility, presenting a woman who is both a spectacle and a mystery. The image presents an aesthetic experience, while it also speaks to the complex negotiations of identity, class, and gender in a rapidly changing society.