La Belle Assemblée or Bell's Court and Fashionable Magazine
(1806-1832), MagazineArtist associated with 58 portraits
La Belle Assemblée or Bell's Court and Fashionable Magazine (London) was one of the most important women's magazines of its time. It was founded by John Bell (1745-1831), a major figure in the London printing and book trade who was also founder or part-proprietor of several other periodicals including The Morning Post, The World of Fashion and Bell's Weekly Messenger. La Belle Assemblée was aimed at fashionable society though only a small part was devoted to fashion. Its first fashion plates from February 1806 were not coloured, but from November 1806 it came out in two forms, uncoloured at 2s 6d or hand-coloured at 3s 6d, illustrating outfits worn by ladies of rank as well as the latest styles. It employed the best fashion artists in England including the portrait painter, Arthur William Devis and John and William Hopwood, but many of the plates were anonymous and many were copies of French ones. From 1810-1820 the fashion section was edited by Mrs Mary Ann Bell (probably a relation of John Bell), a leading dressmaker with several successful shops who introduced plates advertising her own costumes. The magazine went through various owners before merging with The Lady's Magazine and Museum of Belles Lettres in 1837 to become The Court Magazine and Monthly Critic and Lady's Magazine and Museum of the Belles Lettres, music, fine arts, drama, fashions, &c (1838-1847), which appended French editions of Le Follet with its fashion plates.
'Alcantara Hat & Mantle' (the composition of Mrs. Villars of Lower Gower-street)
published by John Bell, published in La Belle Assemblée or Bell's Court and Fashionable Magazine
hand-coloured etching and line-engraving, published 1 April 1809
NPG D47542
'Morning Walking Dress in Feb.1809' (furnished by the Miss Walthers of Margaret-street)
published by John Bell, published in La Belle Assemblée or Bell's Court and Fashionable Magazine
hand-coloured etching, published 1 March 1809
NPG D47543
'Evening Full Dress June 1809'
published by John Bell, published in La Belle Assemblée or Bell's Court and Fashionable Magazine
hand-coloured etching and stipple engraving, published 1 July 1809
NPG D47544
'Evening full Dress in March 1809'
published by John Bell, published in La Belle Assemblée or Bell's Court and Fashionable Magazine
hand-coloured etching and stipple engraving, published 1 April 1809
NPG D47545
'Morning Walking Dress', July 1810
published by John Bell, published in La Belle Assemblée or Bell's Court and Fashionable Magazine
hand-coloured etching and stipple engraving, published 1 July 1810
NPG D47546
'Evening Dresses for April 1810'
published by John Bell, published in La Belle Assemblée or Bell's Court and Fashionable Magazine
hand-coloured etching and stipple engraving, published 1 April 1810
NPG D47547
published by John Bell, published in La Belle Assemblée or Bell's Court and Fashionable Magazine
hand-coloured etching and stipple engraving, published 1 October 1810
NPG D47548
'Evening Full Dress' designed by Miss Blacklin, March 1811
published by John Bell, published in La Belle Assemblée or Bell's Court and Fashionable Magazine
hand-coloured etching and stipple engraving, published 1 March 1811
NPG D47549
'Evening Full Dress', December 1811
published by John Bell, published in La Belle Assemblée or Bell's Court and Fashionable Magazine
hand-coloured etching and stipple engraving, published 1 December 1811
NPG D47550
'Evening Full Dress', January 1812
published by John Bell, published in La Belle Assemblée or Bell's Court and Fashionable Magazine
hand-coloured etching and stipple engraving, published 1 January 1812
NPG D47551
published by La Belle Assemblée or Bell's Court and Fashionable Magazine
stipple engraving, 1 February 1824
NPG D49488
probably by William Read, published by George Byrom Whittaker, published in La Belle Assemblée or Bell's Court and Fashionable Magazine
hand-coloured etching and line engraving, published 1 October 1826
NPG D47577
probably by William Read, published by George Byrom Whittaker, published in La Belle Assemblée or Bell's Court and Fashionable Magazine
hand-coloured etching and stipple engraving, published 1 May 1826
NPG D47579
probably by William Read, published by George Byrom Whittaker, published in La Belle Assemblée or Bell's Court and Fashionable Magazine
hand-coloured etching and stipple engraving, published 1 March 1826
NPG D47580
'Sea Side Dress', October 1826
probably by William Read, published by George Byrom Whittaker, published in La Belle Assemblée or Bell's Court and Fashionable Magazine
hand-coloured etching, line and stipple engraving, published 1 October 1826
NPG D47581
'Walking Dress', November 1826
by William Read, published by George Byrom Whittaker, published in La Belle Assemblée or Bell's Court and Fashionable Magazine
hand-coloured etching, line and stipple engraving, published 1 November 1826
NPG D47582
by William Read, published by George Byrom Whittaker, published in La Belle Assemblée or Bell's Court and Fashionable Magazine
hand-coloured etching, published 1 April 1827
NPG D47595
'Evening Dress. Concert Dress', April 1827
by William Read, published by George Byrom Whittaker, published in La Belle Assemblée or Bell's Court and Fashionable Magazine
hand-coloured etching, line and stipple engraving, published 1 April 1827
NPG D47602
by William Read, published by George Byrom Whittaker, published in La Belle Assemblée or Bell's Court and Fashionable Magazine
hand-coloured etching, line and stipple engraving, published 1 May 1827
NPG D47596
'Afternoon Dress. Evening Dress', July 1827
by William Read, published by George Byrom Whittaker, published in La Belle Assemblée or Bell's Court and Fashionable Magazine
hand-coloured etching, line and stipple engraving, published 1 July 1827
NPG D47599
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