Petit Courrier des Dames, 5 février 1829, No. 615 : Robe de crèpe garnie de feuilles... 1829

This is a fashion plate from Paris, dated February 5th, 1829. The anonymous artist created it as an illustration for *Petit Courrier des Dames*, a popular journal. The image presents a woman in a crepe dress, adorned with satin leaves, showcasing the latest trends available at the stores of M. Burty. Consider the role of fashion plates like this one. They weren't just about clothes; they were about aspiration, class, and the spectacle of modern life. Fashion journals emerged alongside a growing consumer culture and a newly powerful bourgeoisie. They dictated taste, reinforced social hierarchies, and fueled the desires of a burgeoning market. The dress’s design, the woman's hairstyle – everything speaks to the visual codes of elite status. To fully understand this image, one might research the history of French fashion, the rise of department stores, and the social rituals of the Parisian elite. We must remember that art like this isn’t just about aesthetics; it's a product of social and institutional forces.