Townsend's Monthly Selection of Parisian Costumes, ca. 1829, No. 279 : 1. Beret de crèp (...) c. 1829

Editor: Here we have *Townsend's Monthly Selection of Parisian Costumes*, from around 1829. It seems to be a print, maybe an engraving? I'm immediately drawn to the enormous sleeves and elaborate hats; it's like a fashion plate turned into a statement about… what, exactly? How do you interpret this work? Curator: It's fascinating, isn’t it? Let's consider what these images tell us, beyond just documenting the trends of the day. Look closely. What do you notice about the color choices and the overall presentation? Editor: Well, the colors are quite soft and delicate, and the figures seem very composed, almost ethereal. Is there a specific reason for this gentleness? Curator: The Romantic era prioritized feeling, expression and even the mystical quality of being ‘touched’ by artifice. But look at those exaggerated shapes, almost cartoonish. Are these ideals, or fantasies, for the viewer? Think about the social position these garments represent. Who would wear them, and to what end? Editor: I guess these are statements of wealth and status…showing one’s place through clothes as visual markers of class, even aspirations. Curator: Exactly. These aren’t just clothes; they are cultural signifiers. The bows, the plumes, the very specific cuts are all coded language reflecting societal roles and expectations of women in Parisian society. They are as much symbolic objects as they are representations of real clothes. Does it make you reconsider your first impression of their gentleness? Editor: Definitely. What seemed delicate now feels a little more pointed. It's like they're saying "Look, but don't touch." I am seeing an underlying story in these sartorial displays! Curator: Precisely, the surface presentation versus the coded message. Food for thought on how clothing shapes our understanding of each other!