Two Costume Sketches 1785 - 1790

These costume sketches were made with pen and watercolor, on paper, by an anonymous artist. These light sketches offer a glimpse into the world of fashion and social display, likely from the late 18th or early 19th century. The figures, though incomplete, display a clear interest in the details of attire. The clothing and accessories indicate a privileged social class. The fur-trimmed coat, the elaborate hat with feathers, and the woven basket for collecting flowers all speak to a culture of leisure and conspicuous consumption. This image creates meaning through these symbols of wealth. Without knowing the artist or the specific context in which these sketches were made, it's difficult to say whether they are self-consciously conservative or progressive. Yet, by examining similar images from the time, along with fashion plates, journals, and literature, we can begin to reconstruct the social world to which these costumes belonged. This is a world shaped by rigid hierarchies, but also one open to individual expression.