Perles et Parures, Les Joyaux 1850

This print by V. Corbay depicts a fashionable woman with an ornate lace border that gives the image a jewel-like preciousness. Here, we see how the world of fashion intersects with the world of art to comment on social standing and class. The print imitates the look of luxury goods. The woman is well-dressed and adorned with jewelry, suggesting a privileged social class. The lace border, a symbol of wealth and status, emphasizes this association. This print was made in France, a country renowned for its haute couture and luxury industries. We should consider the economic structures and social hierarchies of the time. This image reflects and possibly reinforces the aspirations and values of a society that prized elegance and refinement. The study of fashion plates and prints like these, along with archival research, would help us better understand the social meaning of adornment in the past. Art, in this sense, is a reflection of society and its ever-changing values.