La Mode, 20 mai 1835, Pl.447 : Capote de pou de soie; (...) 1835

Jean-Denis Nargeot created this print, "La Mode", in 1835, using etching and hand coloring to capture the essence of contemporary fashion. The composition divides our attention between two figures, each a study in contrasts. On the left, a woman is seated, her back turned, enveloped in a flowing blue gown with an elaborate lace collar. To the right, her counterpart stands, adorned in a white dress with lilac floral patterns, its exaggerated sleeves creating a dramatic silhouette. The colour palette is delicate, dominated by pastel shades that soften the scene. The artist employs a combination of fine lines and washes to delineate the textures of fabric, lace, and floral motifs. Nargeot's print offers more than a snapshot of early 19th-century style; it presents a structured visual dialogue between form and ornament. The composition invites us to consider how fashion functions as a signifier, communicating ideals of beauty, status, and cultural identity.