Elegantia, of tijdschrift van mode, luxe en smaak voor dames, December 1807, No. 30: Capote de Levantine... 1807

This fashion plate was printed in December 1807, part of the journal "Elegantia," which captured the styles worn by fashionable women. The image is made from a combination of etching and stipple engraving, printed in black ink, then carefully hand-colored. Look closely and you’ll notice the range of techniques at play. The etching defines the overall form, while the stipple engraving gives a soft, shaded effect, essential for rendering the fabric’s textures. The application of color brings the image to life, highlighting the 'couleur cheveux d'Apollon', or ‘Apollo’s hair’ shade of the “Capote de Levantine.” The labor involved in producing these plates was extensive, involving the skills of draftsmen, engravers, and colorists, all working to create an image that would fuel the desires of a consumer culture. These fashion plates played a key role in shaping and disseminating trends, indicative of the rise of consumerism and its impact on the world of fashion. They remind us that even seemingly ephemeral images are the result of many hands and processes, each contributing to their cultural and economic value.