Journal des Dames et des Modes, Costume Parisien, 26 décembre 1799, An 8, (182) : Robe à la Demi-Psyché 1799

Pierre Charles Baquoy created this print titled, “Robe à la Demi-Psyché” in 1799 for the Journal des Dames et des Modes, a French fashion periodical. It offers a glimpse into the world of Parisian women during a pivotal moment in French history, following the revolution. Fashion plates like this one, provided an early form of visual media consumed primarily by privileged women. Here we see a pastel drawing of a woman wearing a neoclassical "demi-psyché" dress, its high waist influenced by ancient Greek and Roman styles. The dress can be viewed as a symbol of liberation from the restrictive, heavily ornamented styles of the pre-revolution aristocracy. Yet, this image also illustrates the complexities of post-revolutionary society. While fashion trends shifted towards simplicity, they remained accessible only to a certain class. The journal was targeted towards those who could afford such garments, highlighting the economic disparities that persisted despite the revolution's ideals. This fashion plate then becomes a mirror reflecting not just clothing, but the intricate layers of identity, class, and aspiration in late 18th-century France.