Elegantia, of tijdschrift van mode, luxe en smaak voor dames, Oktober 1807, No. 24: Fichu a Colerette et a Peintes nouées en Echarpe 1807

This is a fashion plate titled, Elegantia, of tijdschrift van mode, luxe en smaak voor dames, made in October 1807 by an anonymous artist. Fashion plates like this one were not just about showcasing clothing; they were deeply embedded in the socio-political landscape of the time, reflecting and shaping ideals of femininity and class. This image presents an upper-class woman in fashionable attire, embodying the elegance and refinement sought after during the early 19th century. The delicate fabrics and intricate designs speak to a culture that valued luxury as a marker of social status. Consider how the woman’s posture and the way she’s absorbed in her reading present a vision of femininity that is both refined and intellectual. Yet, this image also subtly reinforces the limited roles available to women, primarily within the realms of fashion and domesticity. Ultimately, this fashion plate offers us a glimpse into the complex interplay between identity, aspiration, and social expectation during a transformative period in history.