Collection consacrée aux modes d'hommes et de femmes, 1783-1813, No. 134 : L'Imposante Cléricourt (...). 1783 - 1813

This fashion plate from around 1783-1813, rendered anonymously, captures "L'Imposante Cléricourt" with delicate lines and pastel hues. The composition, dominated by the figure's verticality, presents a study in contrasts. Notice how the flowing white dress, a canvas of subtle gradients, meets the defined edges of the yellow shawl with its bold, dark stripes. The dress's relative simplicity focuses our attention on the details. The shawl, draped casually, adds a layer of visual complexity, disrupting the dress's uniformity. The hat, adorned with plumes, introduces an element of ostentation. Together, they create a dialogue between the classical and the decorative. This interplay challenges fixed notions of fashion and identity. Are we seeing an assertion, or an artful construction? The formal elements suggest not just a reflection of style but a deeper commentary on representation. The artwork invites us to consider the unstable nature of appearances, highlighting fashion as a mutable signifier within culture.