De Gracieuse, Geïllustreerde Aglaja, ca. 1869, No. 999 c. 1869

This is a print titled "De Gracieuse, Geïllustreerde Aglaja" made around 1869 by J. Bonnard. The print captures an era defined by transformation, and the aesthetic values of the rising bourgeoisie. The composition centers around three figures, their clothes rendered with meticulous detail. Observe how the artist juxtaposes the textures of fabric and the precise geometry of lace with the bodies beneath. Bonnard uses line and colour to create visual interest but also to highlight the cultural codes of fashion, class and gender of the time. The women’s elaborate dresses suggest the social status of the wearer. The muted colour palette and intricate detail evokes the mood of an industrializing society that sought to display affluence and refinement. The linear composition, texture, and the depiction of social roles challenge us to look beyond the surface, reflecting a desire to capture and codify a transient era. Meaning here is not fixed.