Gallerie des Modes et Costumes Français, 1779, V 125 : Polonoise de taffetas (...) 1779

Etienne Claude Voysard created this print, "Gallerie des Modes et Costumes Français," around 1779. The woman’s elaborate hat and cane immediately strike us. The 'Polonoise' gown suggests an exotic allure, hinting at Polish influence—a fashionable appropriation. The cane, though, speaks volumes. It serves not just as a support but as a symbol of power, control, and perhaps a subtle commentary on the limitations placed upon women, who, even in finery, needed societal props. This recalls the scepter, an emblem of authority seen in countless royal portraits throughout history. Consider how such symbols evolve. The scepter, once a straightforward signifier of male power, is here subtly re-contextualized. The collective memory of such objects imbues them with a lasting psychological weight, shifting slightly in meaning each time they are re-presented. The gesture of holding the cane firmly suggests an inner strength, a subconscious reclaiming of agency. Ultimately, this print invites us to ponder the cyclical dance of symbols, how they resurface, evolve, and are imbued with new significance across time.