Magasin des Demoiselles, 25 août 1865 1865

This is a print titled "Magasin des Demoiselles, 25 août 1865", by Marie Préval. The lithograph captures the style of women's fashion through its forms and details. Notice how the composition is structured around the dresses themselves. The lines of the fabrics, the contours of the figures, and the intricate detailing all lead the eye across the surface. It also gives an insight into the semiotics of dress, where each element from the cut of the fabric to the choice of embellishment communicates social status and identity. The material qualities of textiles are rendered through lithography to convey a sense of luxury. Beyond the formal qualities, the print engages with broader cultural themes of femininity, consumer culture, and the gaze. By framing women as objects of spectacle, it raises questions about representation and power. The print challenges fixed notions of beauty and engages with evolving perceptions of space, perception, and representation.