Journal des Dames et des Modes, Costume Parisien, 5 février 1807, (784): Spencer de Castorin (...) 1807

Pierre Charles Baquoy created this print titled 'Journal des Dames et des Modes, Costume Parisien', in 1807. Immediately, the symmetrical composition draws the eye, a figure presented in a full, frontal view. The color palette is restrained; the muted browns and blues of the man’s attire contrast subtly with the off-white background, creating a sense of contained elegance. The figure's clothing, described in precise lines, speaks to the sartorial codes of the time. The high collar, tailored jacket, and breeches emphasize a structured silhouette. Baquoy’s detailed rendering highlights the importance of form and material, revealing the cultural values attached to appearance and social identity. The print serves as a semiotic encoding, using clothing as a signifier of status and taste. The figure stands as a symbol of Parisian fashion, revealing how dress functions as a visual language. Note the emphasis on line and form: Baquoy's technical skill underscores how fashion, like art, constructs meaning.