Category: 1880-1889
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1884 – Edgar Degas, The Singer in Green
Although dressed in theatrical costume, Degas’ Singer in Green contains details that were fashionable for women’s evening wear at the time, including an off-the-shoulder neckline, a downward-pointing bodice, a diagonal-striped pattern, and a choker-style necklace. What is less fashionable is its lack of applied florals and the bold color palette, which signals the fact that it is a costume.
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1880 – Mary Cassatt, Lydia Crocheting in the Garden at Marly
Mary Cassatt’s 1880 portrait of Lydia Crocheting in the Garden at Marly features the artist’s ailing sister, Lydia Cassatt, wearing a large white bonnet and a blue day dress accented with a plaid print and white lace–a common dress style of the time.
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1887-1889 – Jean-Philippe Worth, Evening dress
This silk evening dress draped in lace was designed by Jean-Philippe Worth in 1887-89 and was very fashionable for its time due to his design, color, and stylistic choices.
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1881 – Édouard Manet, Spring (Jeanne Demarsy)
Spring (Jeanne Demarsy) by Édouard Manet is a breathtaking, youthful portrait of French actress Jeanne Demarsy, who exemplifies the title Spring in both her soft facial features and her Parisienne-style outfit. As one of the last paintings done by Manet before his death, Spring symbolizes the merging of female beauty and the beauty of nature, coming together as one to be admired in its totality.
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1884 – John Singer Sargent, Madame X (Virginie Gautreau)
In Sargent’s most famous portrait, Virginie Gautreau, a celebrated American beauty living in Paris, dresses in daring advance of fashion–the unadorned...
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Recent Essays
1884 – Edgar Degas, The Singer in GreenIn 1880-1889, 19th century, artwork analysis
1873 – Édouard Manet, The RailwayIn 1870-1879, 19th century, artwork analysis
1880 – Mary Cassatt, Lydia Crocheting in the Garden at MarlyIn 1880-1889, 19th century, artwork analysis
1887-1889 – Jean-Philippe Worth, Evening dressIn 1880-1889, 19th century, garment analysis
1865 – Cream silk taffeta evening dressIn 1860-1869, 19th century, garment analysis