Journal des Dames et des Modes, Costume Parisien, 30 mai 1803, An 11, (473): Habit à taille étroit (...) 1803

Pierre Charles Baquoy created this print, Journal des Dames et des Modes, Costume Parisien, in 1803. Notice how the figure is carefully rendered. The composition, mostly vertical, is bisected by a man adorned in finery. The artist's use of line in the figure's garments creates structure. The buttons, pockets, and hat all accentuate the verticality while the tight jacket emphasizes the waist, creating a sense of elongations. This distortion of the man's physique could reflect the socio-cultural codes of the time, specifically the high fashion. Here, form functions not just aesthetically but also as part of a larger cultural discourse. The artist challenges fixed ideals of beauty, prompting ongoing interpretation and re-interpretation.