Courrier de la Mode, 1869, No. 700, No. 1 : Toilettes de Mme Delacroix (...) 1869

This is a print from 1869, entitled ‘Courrier de la Mode’ by G Fath, showcasing Parisian fashion. Immediately, one is struck by the arrangement of three figures in their elaborate dresses, each a study in colour and texture. The artist employs a delicate palette of mauve, rose, and sage green. Linear precision defines the contours of the dresses. The textures range from the smooth, gathered fabric to the intricate frills of the ruffles. What we see is not just a display of fashion, but a structured composition of shape and line. In semiotic terms, the dresses communicate status. Yet, the detailed rendering, the almost scientific focus on line and form, elevate this image beyond mere fashion illustration. It becomes an exploration of the structures of representation itself. It is through these elements that the artist offers a glimpse into the cultural codes of 19th-century Parisian society.