Le Bon Ton, Journal de Modes, 1860, No. 217 : Parfumeries de Violet (...) 1860

Editor: Here we have "Le Bon Ton, Journal de Modes, 1860, No. 217" by Louis Berlier. It's rendered in ink and colored pencil on paper. I’m struck by how staged the scene feels – almost like a dollhouse depiction of wealthy women. What stands out to you? Curator: It is fascinating how this piece reflects the commercialization of leisure in the mid-19th century. Fashion plates like this one were critical to the rise of consumer culture. This wasn’t just about showing off clothing; it was about advertising a lifestyle. What kind of influence do you think periodicals such as these had? Editor: I imagine it really shaped societal aspirations. Were these images targeting only the upper classes? Curator: Predominantly, yes. "Le Bon Ton" aimed at the affluent Parisian woman. Think about the details: the elaborate dresses, the ornate screen, even the implication of a perfumed boudoir as advertised at the bottom. These all served to reinforce a certain social hierarchy. How might we see the influence of such publications in art? Editor: Well, you see similar aspirational scenes reflected in some Impressionist paintings of bourgeois life. But also, perhaps, in later parodies that exposed this artificiality? Curator: Precisely! Consider the political implications. Whose stories and images get circulated widely says a lot about power. We learn not just about fashion, but about cultural values and the social structures that upheld them. I find myself asking, in what ways are advertisements such as these still shaping public opinion and social discourse? Editor: I see your point! Examining something that seems decorative on the surface reveals a great deal about society's structures. That's such a useful thing to remember. Curator: Indeed. Art provides that lens if we look close enough.