Franse prenten propageren Franse mode : Een dame gaat incognito naar de stad 1689

This print, made by Franz Ertinger, depicts a fashionable lady in France. Notice how the composition directs our gaze upwards, starting from the textured skirt, moving through the intricate folds of the cape, to the obscured face. The artist masterfully uses line and color to define both form and social commentary. The dark, enveloping cape, rendered with fine, almost lace-like lines, contrasts with the skirt's geometric pattern, suggesting a tension between concealment and display. The artist uses diagonal lines to emphasize the cape's enveloping quality. The subtle color palette, dominated by muted purples and grays, evokes a sense of understated elegance, typical of French fashion. Consider the title, which translates to "Woman of quality going incognito in the City." What does it mean to be 'incognito'? The print challenges fixed social categories, suggesting that identity can be fluid and performative. It invites us to reflect on how fashion shapes our understanding of social roles.