Journal des Dames et des Modes, Costume Parisien, 1805, An 13 (634) Touffes de Violettes. Robe Ronde. 1805

Editor: Here we have Horace Vernet's "Journal des Dames et des Modes, Costume Parisien, 1805, An 13 (634) Touffes de Violettes. Robe Ronde.," created in 1805. It’s a drawing, a print actually, showcasing a neoclassical dress. It strikes me as quite delicate and refined, capturing the fashion of the era with remarkable detail. What symbols do you notice within this piece? Curator: What I see are echoes of ancient Greece, particularly in the high-waisted dress, almost like a chiton. The flowing fabric, the relative lack of heavy ornamentation… these recall a desire for simplicity and a return to classical ideals after the more elaborate styles of the previous century. Even the color palette – largely white, with delicate greens and violet accents – suggests purity and a connection to nature, both important themes in the neoclassical movement. Editor: I didn't think about the colors in that way, influencing symbolism. Does the title itself, "Touffes de Violettes," – bunches of violets – carry any significance? Curator: Absolutely. Violets are traditionally associated with modesty, humility, but also with secret love and remembrance. Their inclusion here is telling, not just as a decorative element, but as a subtle symbol of the wearer’s character and inner life. Notice how the violet "touffes" adorn her headpiece, framing her face, suggesting perhaps, these are the attributes with which she wants to be seen. Do you think the woman would necessarily adorn violets? Editor: That's such a specific association! I would have thought it was just about fashion, but you're right, it speaks to more than that. So it shows her virtues? Curator: Perhaps that is aspirational, an attempt to assert these ideals through fashion, mirroring values society cherishes. We learn to look beyond the surface, discerning coded symbols revealing insights of an era. Editor: It's incredible how much is embedded within this seemingly simple fashion plate. I'll definitely view fashion illustration differently going forward.