Category: 1880-1889
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1885 – Henry Lerolle, The Organ Rehearsal
Despite the limited visibility of the garments, the figures within Henry Lerolle’s The Organ Rehearsal can be seen as a fashionable group of churchgoers to 1885 standards, complete with hats with plumes, round skirts, and somber suiting.
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1880s – Amédée François, Blue Silk Day Dress
The floral embroidered blue silk gown designed in the early 1880s had the design elements of tiered pleats, a bustle, chenille fringe and multiple embellishments which incorporated many different fashions of the time.
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1882 – John Singer Sargent, El Jaleo
El Jaleo is one of Sargent’s many paintings relating to Romani culture, and brings a vivid scene of Spanish dance, music, and fashion to the viewer.
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1883 – Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Dance at Bougival
Dance at Bougival captures a dance in progress, with a casually dressed man whirling around a woman in a simple but fashionable pink cotton ensemble.
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1881 – James Abbott McNeill Whistler, Harmony in Pink and Gray: Portrait of Lady Meux
Lady Meux relied on Whistler’s careful hand and international regard when crafting a new image for herself as an elegant woman who belonged to the elite class into which she had recently married.
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1880 – Red corset
This brightly colored corset with steel boning and a front-opening spoon busk was a highly fashionable foundation garment for a woman’s wardrobe in the 1880s.
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Grand Opening of the Museum of Historical Costume in Poznan, Poland
In the fashion world everything has already happened. The inaugural exhibition, “Fashion Repeats Itself. The revival styles in 19th-century ladies fashion,” opening March 29th at the new Museum of Historical Costume in Poznan, Poland explores just that theme.
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1883 – Pierre Auguste Renoir, City Dance (Danse à la ville)
In City Dance, Renoir paints a fashionable Parisienne, waltzing with her dance partner, in a winter ball. Dressed in the latest neoclassically draped evening dress style for young women, the dancer’s simple, draped gown is tasteful and classic in the lack of heavy ornamentation and frills.
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cuirass bodice
A form-fitting, long-waisted, boned bodice worn in the 1870s and 1880s–almost gives the appearance of armor as the name suggests.
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1884-1886 – Mme Grapanche, Red Silk Dinner Dress
A pinnacle of 1880s fashion, this bustled gown’s many intricate style details, full silhouette, and bright red color make it a dress to be admired now and envied then.
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1888 – William Merritt Chase, Lady in Black
William Merritt Chase captures the style and youth of his art student, Mariette Benedict Cotton, in this portrait. She wears a black day dress made in the traditional bustle silhouette of the period with puffed sleeves that were rising in popularity at the time. Chase’s use of light adds depth to the piece, emphasizing folds in the fabric and the glittering of Cotton’s eyes and jewelry.
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Recent Essays
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The Fez and the Ottoman Path to ModernityIn 19th century, 20th century, thematic essays
1869 – Red Silk DressIn 1860-1869, 19th century, garment analysis
katazome (stencil printing)In 18th century, 19th century, ancient, Asia, K, P, S, term definition
1905 – André Derain, Lucien GilbertIn 1900-1909, 20th century, artwork analysis