Habillemens de Leipsic, ca. 1778-1780: Twee vrouwen en drie mannen c. 1778 - 1780

Rosmasler's etching "Habillemens de Leipsic," created around 1778-1780, offers a glimpse into the social choreography of 18th-century Leipzig through its meticulous lines and structured composition. The artwork is divided into two registers, each presenting a tableau of figures engaged in social rituals, emphasizing the performance of status and courtship. The use of line dominates, delineating the elaborate costumes and hairstyles that define the figures' identities. The meticulous detail in the clothing, from the lace to the embroidery, highlights the artifice and constructed nature of social presentation. This attention to detail serves not only to represent the fashions of the time, but also to underscore the visual language of class and distinction. The composition, with its careful arrangement of figures, invites us to consider the semiotics of gesture and pose. The act of hand-kissing, the averted gazes, all speak to a complex code of social interaction. The image doesn't merely reflect society but actively participates in constructing and commenting on its rules.