Category: 1850-1859
Overview
All Entries
1856 – Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, Madame Moitessier
In Ingres’s 1856 portrait, Madame Moitessier wears a fashionable off-the-shoulder dress with a bertha collar trimmed with tassels. The evening dress reflects her elegant taste and features the essential elements of 1850s fashion–from its floral silk brocade fabric to its Renaissance-revival jewelry.
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1855 – Franz-Xaver Winterhalter, The Empress Eugénie Surrounded by her Ladies-in-Waiting
Well-known in the 19th century for his skill at portraiture, Wintherhalter created iconic mannered poses and captured ravishingly elegant dresses, like those in this portrait of the Empress Eugénie and her ladies in waiting, who dress in the most fashionable styles of day.
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1859 – Gold silk day dress with floral brocade
While the silhouette of this day dress, its floral brocade, and its use of fringe were fashionable for 1859, its choice of gold silk fabric and naturalistic coloring for the flowers was less so.
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Recent Essays
1995 – Vivienne Tam, “Mao Collection” DressIn 1990-1999, 20th century, garment analysis
1860 – Cream silk evening dressIn 1860-1869, 19th century, garment analysis
1948-1987 – Willi SmithIn 1970-1979, 1980-1989, BIPOC, designer profile, LGBTQ+
1952 – Christian Dior, La CigaleIn 1950-1959, 20th century, garment analysis, LGBTQ+
1882 – John Singer Sargent, El JaleoIn 1880-1889, 19th century, artwork analysis, LGBTQ+
