Beetle-Wing Embroidery in Nineteenth-Century Fashion
Beetle-wing embroidery: a colonialist fantasia and exotic fad in nineteenth-century England and...
Read More
Author: Kenna Libes
1770-96 – Agostino Brunias, Free Women of Color with Their Children and Servants in a Landscape
In a late 18th-century painting organized by skin tone, Agostino Brunias has depicted a range of colonial Dominican fashions from the wealthy elite to the poorest people whom they enslaved.
Read More
1787-9 – Alexandre-August Robineau, The Fencing-Match between the Chevalier de Saint-George and the Chevalier d’Eon
This 18th-century painting commemorates an historic fencing match between two French knights: one an illegitimate Black nobleman and the other a gender nonconforming spy.
Read More
1797 – Anne-Louis Girodet, Portrait of Jean-Baptiste Belley
This important painting of a Black Haitian deputy, once enslaved, commemorates his participation in the assembly that abolished slavery in France in 1794. He wears the tricolored uniform of a deputy of the French National Convention and only his gold earring speaks to his Colonial ties.
Read More
1650 – Diego Velázquez, Juan de Pareja
This dignified portrait by Diego Velázquez depicts his enslaved Black assistant, Juan de Pareja, who was a skilled artist in his own right.
Read More
1778 – David Martin, Portrait of Dido Elizabeth Belle Lindsay and Lady Elizabeth Murray
This 18th-century grand manner portrait of two cousins juxtaposes fashionable turquerie with luxurious but conventional children’s clothing.
Read More
guipure lace
Guipure lace is a type of continuous bobbin lace made without a mesh ground; its motifs are connected by bridges or plaits.
Read More
1750 – Stephen Slaughter, Two Women Gathering Fruit
This painting of two 18th-century gentlewomen features fashionable trends in portraiture and clothing, including Orientalism, pastoralism, and masculine-inspired dress.
Read More
1643 – J. Beckx, Portrait of Diego Bemba
Diego Bemba’s 1643 portrait, along with those of Pedro Sunda and Miguel de Castro, represents an early example of cultural exchange in which African ambassadors donning European costume in order to project a carefully curated image of cultural capital.
Read More- 1
- 2
Recent Essays
1855 – English Blue and White Print Day DressIn 1850-1859, 19th century, garment analysis
dashikiIn 19th century, 20th century, Africa, Americas, BIPOC, D, term definition
1948 – Christian Dior, Eugénie evening gownIn 1940-1949, 20th century, garment analysis
1885 – Henry Lerolle, The Organ RehearsalIn 1880-1889, 19th century, artwork analysis
1880s – Amédée François, Blue Silk Day DressIn 1880-1889, 19th century, garment analysis
