Elegantia, of tijdschrift van mode, luxe en smaak voor dames, Januari 1809, No. 68 : Robe de Satin (...) 1808

This print, made in January 1809 by an anonymous artist, depicts a design for a satin dress, as featured in the journal Elegantia. The printmaking process itself is crucial to understanding the artwork. The crisp lines and delicate shading suggest etching or engraving, techniques that require meticulous skill and time. Imagine the artisan, carefully incising the image into a metal plate, line by line. This labor-intensive process mirrors the work involved in creating the dress itself, with its luxurious satin and fur trim. Fashion prints like these played a vital role in disseminating style trends, fueling consumer desire and driving the textile industry. The depicted gown, with its emphasis on expensive materials, speaks to a culture of elite consumption and the labor of those involved in producing such goods, from silk weavers to fur trappers. The print bridges the gap between art and craft. It's not just a pretty picture; it's a record of design, labor, and the social forces that shape our material world.