12e Cahier, 6e Suite, M.67

Fashion plate showing a woman with her hairdresser.

Gallerie des modes et costumes français. 12e Cahier des Costumes Français. 6e Suite d'Habillemens à la mode, en 1778. M.67
ca. 1778
Designed by Pierre-Thomas Le Clerc (French, Paris 1740–1796); engraved by Nicholas Dupin (French, act. 1776–89)
Hand-colored engraving
Approx. 11 1/2 × 17 in. (29.2 × 43.2 cm)
Frick Art Research Library; Gift of Melinda Martin Sullivan, 2016
Image Frick Digital Studio

 

At the Toilette
The hairdresser powders his client's hair with a puff, transforming the brunette into a blonde. To pass the time, the woman is reading a book, L'art d'aimer (The Art of Loving). Likely a translation of Ovid's Ars Amatoria, this book signals her sophistication and possibly hints at a romantic rendezvous.

Inscription
English: "Young lady having her hair freshly done; she is in a dressing gown and her very soft yellow gauze skirt, the hairdresser is in a slightly powdered red jacket, black breeches and gray silk stockings."

French: "Jeune Dame se faisant coëffer à neuf; elle est en peignoir et sa juppe de gaze d'un jaune très tendre, Le Coëffeur en veste rouge un peu poudrée, culotte noire et bas de soie gris."