Journal des Dames et des Modes, editie Frankfurt 23 octobre 1808, Costume Parisien (43) 1808

Editor: So, this engraving, "Journal des Dames et des Modes," dated 1808, is by Friedrich Ludwig Neubauer. It's a colored print of fashionably dressed people. The texture of the paper, the precise lines, and delicate washes really catch my eye. What do you find most interesting about this piece? Curator: As a materialist, I immediately focus on the *Journal* itself, the printed object. It represents early mass media, disseminating fashion trends to a wider audience. Consider the labour involved: from the paper-making and engraving, to the hand-colouring of each print. These are artisanal processes slowly giving way to industrialization. It challenges our notions of art; is it high art, or applied art, a commodity? Editor: That’s a great point. I hadn't really thought about the labour. Curator: And how that labour reflects class distinctions. The fashions depicted suggest wealthy clientele. The availability of the journal itself to a broader middle class begins to blur those lines. What do these depictions suggest to you about the era's ideals around presentation and status? Editor: It suggests that even the means of *producing* art and fashion are intricately connected. The act of consuming fashion becomes almost performative. Curator: Exactly! And what materials informed those performances, from the cut of the fabric to the ink on the page, each choice shaping how identity was presented and perceived. Editor: This really changed how I see this artwork. I am intrigued to find out more about it! Curator: The power is truly in the method by which the artwork reached the public and influenced trends and social interactions.