Jonge vrouw in Robe à l'Anglaise c. 1780 - 1785

This is a print by Philippe Meusnier, whose career stretched from the late 17th to the early 18th century in France. The image depicts a young woman wearing a ‘Robe à l’Anglaise’. The dress represents a shift in fashion that has a great deal to tell us about social and cultural exchange during this period. The ‘Robe à l’Anglaise’ was a style influenced by English fashion, characterized by its simplicity and practicality compared to the more elaborate and restrictive French court dresses. We can see how the print creates meaning through visual codes associated with class and status. The towering hairstyle, powdered wig, and luxurious fabrics speak to the woman’s privileged position within French society. Art historians would likely delve into fashion plates, journals, and other visual sources from the period to understand the print's significance fully. This helps to see how art is never created in a vacuum, but is always embedded in broader social and institutional contexts.