Journal des Luxus und der Moden 1790, Band V, T.21 1790

Friedrich Justin Bertuch created this print, Journal des Luxus und der Moden in 1790, with ink and watercolour. The composition is divided horizontally, presenting two distinct fashion styles. Soft pastel washes define each outfit, offset by delicate, precise inking that structures the forms and captures the intricate details of lace and fabric. Each figure emerges as a signifier of status and taste. The exaggerated hairstyles and elaborate embellishments function as cultural codes communicating the wearer's access to luxury. Notice the strategic use of line and shape: curvilinear forms that define the billowing fabrics and voluminous hair. These elements serve not only as aesthetic choices, but also as statements of social identity, reflecting the values and norms of the late eighteenth-century aristocratic society. This interplay between form and meaning invites ongoing dialogue about art's role in mirroring and shaping our world.