Dimensions: height 204 mm, width 116 mm
Copyright: Rijks Museum: Open Domain
This anonymous print, titled "Elegantia, of tijdschrift van mode, luxe en smaak voor dames," was made in October 1809. Visually, the image is dominated by a full-length figure of a woman. It features a restrained palette with delicate use of line and hatching to render shape and texture. Notice how the dress's verticality is countered by horizontal ruffles at the bottom, creating a sense of balance. The artist employs structural elements that mirror the fashion of the time, and perhaps challenge existing social norms through presentation. The emphasis on a simplified form, combined with neoclassicism, reflects the enlightenment focus on reason and order. The dress, with its high waist and flowing lines, evokes a sense of freedom from past constraints, while its whiteness symbolizes purity and simplicity. Ultimately, this print is not merely a fashion plate; it's a carefully constructed visual statement that contributes to broader cultural and philosophical dialogues about identity, and societal values during the early 19th century.
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