
Bal de l’Opéra 1804.
Illustration by Jean-Francois Bosio (1764-1827), chrome lithography by Gaulard. Composition pour le “Journal des Dames”.
The illustration by Jean-Francois Bosio shows costumed Empire people at a masked ball at the Paris Opera. They wear costumes of hussars, farmers, clowns, harlequins and Turks, some with masks.
Source: Directoire, consulat et empire. Moeurs et usages, lettres, sciences et arts par Paul Lacroix. France, 1795-1815. Paris, Firmin-Didot et cie 1884.
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Support and Seduction: The History of Corsets and Bras (Abradale Books) by Beatrice Fontanel.
Thoughout the ages, women's breasts have been subjected to the endless whims of fashion. From the ancient Greeks to Mae West and Madonna, this light-hearted book charts the changing shapes of female beauty. The elegant and amusing images - including fashion drawings, paintings, photographs, and film stills - illustrate the often surprising history of the garments women have worn for support - and seduction.