Société Générale des Tournaux Professionnels des Couturieres, Exposition Universelle, 1889, No. 1659 23 95 : L. Michau Editeur (...) 1889

This lithograph was created in 1889 by the monogrammist JC, and published by L. Michau for the Exposition Universelle in Paris. The print showcases a series of elaborate dresses and costumes, reflecting the fashion trends and social norms of the late 19th century. Focusing on the attire of women and children, the artwork invites reflection on gender roles and social expectations. The garments of women are extravagant, suggesting a life of leisure and display. Children are similarly adorned in miniature versions of adult fashion, a practice which highlights the construction of childhood as a site of social conditioning and aspiration. The composition may also remind us of issues of class, as it illustrates the divide between those who create fashion and those who consume it. Consider the historical context of the Exposition Universelle, a world's fair meant to celebrate progress and modernity. How does the artwork contribute to or challenge those narratives? What does it reveal about the values and contradictions of French society at the end of the 19th century?