Petit Courrier des Dames, 15 juin 1828, No. 561: Chapeau de paille de riz... 1828

This fashion plate, titled "Petit Courrier des Dames, 15 juin 1828, No. 561" was created in 1828. Although the artist is unknown, the image presents the height of Parisian fashion during the Restoration period in France. Fashion plates like this one weren't just about showcasing clothing, they were carefully constructed images that reflected the values and aspirations of the upper class. The woman is idealized, her clothing emphasizes her class, wealth and status. The focus on her dress, a muslin gown from a known designer, speaks to the era’s obsession with luxury goods and the performance of femininity. The plate also subtly reinforces the social hierarchy of the time. The emphasis on elaborate dresses and accessories underscores a life of leisure and consumption, a world away from the lives of the working class who produced these goods. Ultimately, this fashion plate isn't just a depiction of clothing; it's a window into a world of privilege and social expectations.