Le Journal des Dames et des Demoiselles, Edition Belge, ca. 1864, No. 886: Toilettes de Mme Delacroix (...) c. 1864

J. Bonnard created this print, "Le Journal des Dames et des Demoiselles," around 1864. The work, made using engraving and etching techniques, features a group of women and children dressed in fashionable attire, set against an interior backdrop. The composition is structured by the arrangement of figures, creating a visual rhythm through the varying heights and poses. Bonnard’s use of line defines the forms of the clothing, emphasizing the textures and patterns of the fabrics, with an abundance of detail in the pleats, ribbons, and trimmings. The palette is muted, dominated by soft pastels and creams, which lend a delicate, refined aesthetic to the scene. This print functions as a semiotic code, communicating the ideals of bourgeois elegance and domesticity of the era. The detailed depiction of clothing and accessories reflects the rise of consumer culture and fashion as a form of social expression. Consider how the formal elements of line and color construct not just an image, but a statement about identity and status in mid-19th century society.