Le Suprême Bon Ton. Caricatures, 1800-1815, No 12: La Parisienne à Londres 1800 - 1815

This hand-colored etching, part of the series *Le Suprême Bon Ton*, was made between 1800 and 1815 by an anonymous artist. The print captures a scene with figures elegantly dressed against a backdrop of what seems to be a horse race. The composition is divided into distinct groups, each defined by their attire and posture, which suggests a staged contrast between French and English fashion. The lines are sharp and defined, delineating the figures with precision, while the color palette is restrained, emphasizing the textures and fabrics of the clothing. Note how the artist uses color to distinguish the figures, with the Parisian couple in the foreground dressed in more elaborate, brightly colored garments, contrasting with the simpler, white dresses of the English ladies. The caricatured expressions and poses invite us to consider the work through a semiotic lens. The artist uses clothing as a signifier of national identity and social status. The exaggeration of fashion trends destabilizes conventional notions of beauty and taste, and the work critiques social norms.