Gallerie des Modes et Costumes Français, 1783, 252 (bis): Dame habillée en grand Domin (...) c. 1783

Jean François Janinet created this print, "Dame habillée en grand Domin", around 1783. It depicts a woman dressed for a masquerade ball, embodying the height of French fashion just before the Revolution. This image captures a moment of elaborate artifice, yet it also hints at the social dynamics of the era. The woman’s identity is both concealed and revealed by her costume. The mask she holds suggests a temporary escape from societal norms, but the luxurious fabric and meticulous detail of her gown speak volumes about her social standing. Consider the implications of dressing in disguise during a period of immense social inequality. For the aristocracy, these balls were a space to play with identity, while the lower classes bore the brunt of economic hardship. The extravagance on display serves as a complex reminder of the privileges enjoyed by a select few, at a time when the seeds of revolution were already sown. Through this image, we're invited to reflect on the intersections of gender, class, and identity in pre-Revolutionary France, and the emotional complexities of a society on the brink of transformation.