Fashion Plate 297 by an anonymous French artist

Fashion Plate 297 by an anonymous French artist

c.1826-1828

Hand-colored Engraving

This Restoration-era French fashion plate depicting early Romantic dress presents two women in elaborately detailed daywear characteristic of the early nineteenth century. The figure on the left wears a crepe beret paired with an embroidered crepe dress, distinguished by pronounced gigot, or leg-of-mutton, sleeves that broaden at the shoulders before tapering toward the wrists. Her pale yellow gown is further enriched with a wide lace shoulder collar and intricate floral embroidery along the hem, emphasizing the decorative refinement of the silhouette. On the right, a second figure is dressed in a satin hat and an embroidered heavy silk redingote, or coatdress, styled with a lace-edged chemisette, a high collar, and a white muff held at the hands. Both women embody the period’s idealized feminine form, defined by tightly corseted waists and expansive bell-shaped skirts, likely supported by crinolines to achieve their structured volume.

Published in Paris during the Restoration era, this plate exemplifies the role of fashion publishing in disseminating the latest trends prior to the advent of photography. Such prints were produced through a collaborative process involving artists, engravers, and colorists, translating ephemeral sartorial innovations into finely detailed and collectible images. The Journal des Dames et des Modes was among the most influential fashion periodicals of its time, shaping taste across Europe and documenting the rapid evolution of elite dress. These plates are now valued not only for their aesthetic refinement but also for their documentary significance, offering insight into shifting ideals of femininity, textile luxury, and social presentation in early nineteenth-century France.

Dimensions: H 8 ⅛” x 5 1/2 “ W

Condition: In very good condition