Here's a little collection of 18th century paintings that depicts clothes that are a bit unusual and interesting. First of is this wonderful portrait. Isn't it amazing? An old woman portrayed with dignity and beauty. I also find her cap interesting. I can't recall any other 18th century portrait with such a peak down the forehead.
Portrait of An Old Woman by Balthasar Denner (or possibly Christian Seybold), probably the first half of the 18th century |
Plaid isn't all that common on 18th century portraits, but they crop up from time to time. I really like the kitchen maid's plaid apron, but her spotted caracao even more. Not to mention the colour combination. I think I need this outfit!
Plucking the Turkey by Henry Walton, 1776 |
This girl was a member of the Moravian church. Click on the link for more paintings of Moravian women, they have a rather distinct front-laced bodice that you can't see here because of the neckerchief. This girl is the only one in plaid, though.
Young Moravian Girl by Johann Valentin Haidt , painted before 1780 |
A Scottish lady of a Jacobite inclination, so her choice of fabric for her riding habit is not so surprising.
Portrait of a Jacobite Lady by Cosmo Alexander, 1745-50s |
This fabric in her brunswick is just gorgeous! I wouldn't mind getting my mitts on something like that.
Princess Frederika Sophia Wilhelmina of Orange by Johann Georg Ziesenis, 1768-69 |
Maria Luisa de Parma, later Queen of Spain by Laurent Pecheux, 1765 |
A very clever use of the fabric here, I think.
Infanta Maria Josefa de Borbon by Giusseppe Bonito, 1758-59 |
Victoire of France by Jean-Marc Nattier, mid-18th century |
Brita Christina Appelbom by Georg Desmarées, painted before 1757 |
La Belle Strasbourgeoise by Nicolas de Largillière, 1703 |
Does anyone know anything more about this rather curious layering? To me it looks like a chemise, probably stays, a (padded?) jacket with another jacket, or gown, laced over it. I think it is pretty and it ought to add warmth. I know I have seen more paintings than the two here and I think all have been French. Seems to me to be a bit too practical to be just an artist's imaginatiopn so I am apt to think it was an actual fashion, but perhaps a rather regional one.
Portrait of Mlle Lavergne, the niece of the artist by Jean-Etienne Liotard, 1746 |
Portrait of a young lady with a courtly letter in hand by Jean-Baptiste Mallet |
The Broken Mirror by Jean-Baptiste Greuze, 1763 |
There are several extant examples of stays with tie-on sleeves. Here is a somewhat rarer example on them in a painting.
Detail from Women Working on Pillow Lace by Giacomo Ceruti, 1720s |
3 comments:
Wonderful collection! I love finding unusual historical examples. There is so much variety! I especially love the lace-fronted bodices. The laces were threaded through eyelet loops or decorative metal hooks, like on this example: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/C.I.39.13.211
Absolutely love this post. And that first picture is just amazing. It gets promoted to my favourite portraits list immediately.
Thankyou!
Pragmatic Costumer: I agree, I love finding new pictures!
A traveller in time: Glad you enjoyed them!
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