Petit Courrier des Dames, 1867, No. 3523 : Etoffes des Ville de Franc (...) 1867

"Petit Courrier des Dames, 1867" by Carrache, is a print showcasing the height of Parisian fashion during the Second Empire. The image presents two women adorned in elaborate day dresses, reflecting the era's emphasis on luxury and refinement. Clothing was a marker of identity and social status, so the focus on the dresses is paramount. These clothes dictated posture and stride, dictating both physical movement and social mobility. The dresses are not simply beautiful; they embody the complex web of social expectations and gender roles that defined women's lives. We can ask ourselves how the print perpetuates or subtly challenges the conventional representations of women at the time, considering the emotional weight of societal expectations and the personal experiences of those who wore these garments. The print invites reflection on the constraints and performances of femininity in 19th-century France.