Two Costume Designs or Portrait Types and a Sketch 1785 - 1790

This is a watercolor sheet of costume designs, likely from the late 18th century. The flamboyant hats are especially striking. Adorned with ribbons, flowers, and feathers, these hats are not merely fashion accessories but potent symbols of status and identity. Consider the enduring motif of adornment throughout history, from ancient headdresses to modern haute couture. These elaborate hats echo similar expressions of power seen in royal portraits or religious regalia. They are not just decorations; they are statements. Through collective memory, we see that certain gestures or compositions convey intense emotional states that transcend time. The cyclical progression of the hat as a symbol of status continues, evolving and resurfacing with new meanings in different contexts. The hat, through its various forms, remains a powerful visual expression of social identity.