Het Toilet, 1 november 1879, No. 9 1879

This is ‘Het Toilet, 1 november 1879, No. 9’, a print made by an anonymous artist. Fashion plates like these, gaining popularity in the late 19th century, offer us a glimpse into the social rituals and gendered expectations of the time. We see three women, each adorned in elaborate dresses that reflect the restrictive yet ornamental ideals of feminine beauty during this era. What do these garments tell us about the lives of women? Bound by corsets and layers of fabric, their mobility and agency were literally curtailed. Despite constraints, dress was also a powerful tool for self-expression and asserting social status. Were these women empowered by fashion, or imprisoned by it? This piece invites us to reflect on the complex interplay between identity, representation, and social expectations. It is a mirror reflecting the ongoing dialogue about gender and the visual culture.