Horace Vernet (Paris 1789 - 1863) Young Woman Wearing a Moire Court Coat, circa 1815 Preparatory drawing for engraving for the Journal des Dames et des Modes, plate 1507, 1815. Pen, Indian ink, ink wash and watercolor Monogrammed lower left: "HVe". On verso, inscribed in black pencil: "Me Saurel". 16.6 x 11 cm Le Journal des Dames et des Modes was the only periodical dealing with fashion in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Covering the mores and pleasures of Parisians, it reflected a new period, with an aesthetic imbued with freedom and frivolity, resolutely turning its back on the reign of Terror that preceded it. The Merveilleuses, adorned in tunics à la Diane, frock coats à la Galathée and gowns à la Flore, are sketched and their dress fashions skilfully described. Joséphine Bonaparte, Juliette Récamier, Germaine de Staël and Thérésa Tallien all convey this image of luxury. Horace Vernet, like Carle Vernet and Jean-Baptiste Isabey, was a cartoonist for the newspaper.