Plate VIII, Tailor of Clothes by Louis-Jacques Goussier

Plate VIII, Tailor of Clothes by Louis-Jacques Goussier

1777

Engraving with Etching

Designated as Plate VIII (8) and titled Tailleur d'Habits (Tailor of Clothes), this engraving provides a comprehensive visual guide to the pattern templates, specialized cutting tools, and component parts central to eighteenth-century men's fashion. The engraving depicts precise drafting layouts for different styles of collars, pockets, and frock coat sleeves, alongside a double-breasted waistcoat (veste croisée), fabric gussets, and specialized tools used by cloth cutters. Executed with the meticulous precision characteristic of Enlightenment technical illustration, the plate was designed to document and standardize both the mechanical and artistic aspects of professional tailoring. As part of this landmark publication, the engraving reflects the eighteenth century's commitment to the systematic recording and dissemination of practical trades, human labor, and material craftsmanship.

This antique print originates from Encyclopédie, ou Dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métiers, the monumental reference work edited by Denis Diderot and Jean le Rond d'Alembert. Published in Paris between 1751 and 1772, the original folio edition comprised 17 volumes of text and 11 volumes of engraved plates, containing more than 72,000 articles contributed by over 140 writers, scientists, philosophers, and artisans. Conceived as a comprehensive survey of human knowledge, the Encyclopédie documented the sciences, crafts, technologies, and fine arts while also serving as a powerful vehicle for the intellectual ideals of the French Enlightenment. Its emphasis on reason, empirical inquiry, and the dissemination of knowledge challenged traditional authorities and helped shape modern thought, making it one of the most influential publications of the eighteenth century.

Dimensions: H 15” x 10 ¼” W

Condition: some foxing consistent with age