Journal des Dames et des Modes, Costume Parisien, 15 avril 1817, (1640): Chapeau de Crêp (...) 1817

Pierre Charles Baquoy made this print, ‘Journal des Dames et des Modes, Costume Parisien’ in 1817. It shows a woman modeling the latest Parisian fashion, a snapshot of the sartorial tastes of the time. These fashion plates circulated widely in France and beyond, shaping ideals of femininity and status. Consider how the image creates meaning through visual codes. The delicate lines and soft colors emphasize refinement, while the elaborate hat and dress signal wealth and leisure. France, in 1817, was in the Bourbon Restoration; a period defined by a longing for the pre-revolutionary past, as reflected in the high-waisted empire silhouette and the emphasis on luxury. The ‘Journal des Dames et des Modes’ was part of a growing fashion industry, catering to an elite audience eager to display their social position. To truly understand this print, we can consult fashion journals, historical records of textile production, and social histories of the period. These sources reveal the complex interplay of art, commerce, and social identity in early 19th-century France.