Le peignoir plisié 1860s

This photograph, by Pierre-Louis Pierson, presents us with a woman in an elaborate, pleated gown. The image is a small, intimate portrait, printed using the albumen process, a popular photographic technique of the time. The dress itself is the main focus. Its voluminous skirt, entirely covered in delicate pleats, speaks volumes about the era's fashion and the labour involved in creating such a garment. Each pleat would have been carefully pressed and set, a time-consuming task, likely done by skilled seamstresses. This is a direct consequence of the industrial revolution, where the division of labor allowed for specialization and efficiency. Such intricate detailing was a marker of wealth and status, reflecting the consumer culture of the time. Pierson's photograph captures not just a woman, but also a moment in the history of fashion, labor, and class. Considering the materials, making, and context in which this photograph was created, we can better understand its significance, challenging traditional boundaries between art, craft, and social history.