Revue de la Mode, Gazette de la Famille, dimanche 8 août 1880, 9e année, No. 449: Eventails de la Parfumerie Ninon (...) 1880

E. Cheffer made this print, titled ‘Revue de la Mode,’ in France in 1880, using engraving and stipple engraving techniques. This was an era when printmaking served not just art, but commerce, and we can see that here. The artistry lies in the rendering of textures: the sheen of silk, the frill of lace. These were created by a suite of techniques that allowed for mass production. Stipple engraving creates tone through tiny dots, while line engraving defines edges and details. To make it, an artisan would have used specialized tools to incise an image onto a metal plate, a labor-intensive process, demanding skilled hands. The plate was then inked and used to create multiple impressions. Consider the social context. Prints like these helped to fuel the fashion industry, shaping desires and dictating trends. This artwork, therefore, speaks to the rise of consumer culture and the intricate dance between art, industry, and aspiration. Appreciating how it was made opens a window onto that world.