The Young Ladies' Journal, Paris Fashions, 1 May 1866, No. 25 : Etoffes et Nouveautés (...) 1866

Louis Berlier created this print, entitled *The Young Ladies' Journal, Paris Fashions*, in 1866. These images, published in journals, provided a visual feast of the latest styles, yet they also depicted the restrictive ideals imposed on women in 19th-century Paris. The clothing features long, full skirts and emphasizes a rigid silhouette. Although beautiful, these garments physically confined women, symbolizing their limited roles within society. The woman with the telescope gazes toward the horizon; is she looking for freedom? The artist's attention to detail and the arrangement of figures create a sense of longing, hinting at the constraints placed upon women’s ambitions and desires. Even the young girl's dress is restrictive, suggesting that these constraints begin early in life. This print not only displays the fashion of the time but also subtly comments on the broader societal expectations that shaped women's lives and identities. It captures a yearning for liberation, a sentiment undoubtedly felt by many women of the era.