La Mode, 25 septembre 1846 : Chapeaux de Mme Penet (...) 1846

Florensa de Closménil made this hand-colored etching, entitled ‘La Mode,’ in France, September 25, 1846. It depicts women's fashion and touches on gender roles in the mid-19th century. Fashion plates such as this one were common in France during this time and served as a tool to communicate to the upper and middle classes what was considered en vogue. This etching provides insight into the social and cultural values of the period. The dresses, bonnets, and hairstyles represent the idealized feminine appearance, while the poses and interactions between the figures suggest the social etiquette and norms of the time. The artist is offering a critique of gender hierarchies and the restrictive roles imposed on women in 19th-century French society. The image seems to suggest the absurdity of the strict social structures of the time. To understand this etching better, we could consult primary sources, such as fashion magazines and etiquette guides from the 1840s. Scholarly articles on the history of fashion and gender roles in 19th-century France could also be illuminating.