De Bazar, 1886, Nr. 24, Pl. 666 1886

This fashion plate, titled 'De Bazar, 1886, Nr. 24, Pl. 666', was printed in 1886. Although the artist is unknown, their formal arrangement of figures and interior space is quite revealing. The composition is structured by a stark contrast in color and texture: the muted olive-green gown against the bold, deep red. Notice how the textures range from the crisp lace to the plush velvet, engaging our tactile senses through visual cues. The two women, framed within an elaborate interior, seem less like individuals and more like mannequins presenting a tableau of sartorial elegance. This work reflects the late 19th-century obsession with visual spectacle and consumer culture, where fashion plates served as both art and advertisement. The formal elements underscore a deeper societal focus on appearances, where the structure of the garment dictates the form of the wearer, subtly inverting the relationship between body and object. The rigid structure and meticulous detail speak to a culture deeply invested in the semiotics of fashion.