Tableau Général du Goût, 1797-1799, An 7, No. 1 (22 sept. 1798): Deux femmes vêtues à la romaine 1798

Laurent Guyot created this print, Tableau Général du Goût, in France between 1797 and 1799 using etching, a printmaking technique where lines are incised into a metal plate with acid. This was a fairly common method at the time, allowing for detailed, repeatable images. The image depicts two women dressed in the Roman style, reflecting the Neoclassical trends popular during the French Directoire period. The thin, flowing garments and simple hairstyles suggest a departure from the more elaborate fashions of the preceding decades. The etching process allowed Guyot to capture the delicate drapery and subtle textures of the fabrics, emphasizing the soft, flowing lines of the dresses. Prints like these were often produced for a growing consumer market, feeding a demand for images that reflected contemporary tastes and social ideals. They highlight the intersection of artistic technique, fashion, and social trends in late 18th-century France, and remind us that even seemingly straightforward images are the result of skilled making and social context.