Gallerie des Modes et Costumes Français, 1785, 31e Cahier, Pl. gg.181, nadruk 1875

This print, produced in 1785, comes from a series called "Gallerie des Modes et Costumes Français." It was made using a process called “nadruk,” likely involving an engraved plate to transfer ink to paper. What's remarkable here is that the print is not just an image, but a piece of material culture in itself. It belongs to a whole industry dedicated to circulating images of fashion, and influencing tastes. Look at the detail in the woman’s dress; you can see how the fabric would have draped, the texture of the lace. The print mimics the labor-intensive craft of dressmaking. But with the advent of printmaking, fashion could reach a broader audience, sparking desire and consumption. Though we don’t know who made this print, we can see that they were deeply engaged with the culture of fashion, and skilled in the graphic arts. Prints like this challenge traditional notions of high art, because they bring together artistic skill, commercial imperative, and a clear understanding of the social world.