'London Full Dresses', November 1808
12 of 153 portraits matching these criteria:
- subject matching 'Fashion Plates: Fabrics - Satin'
© National Portrait Gallery, London
'London Full Dresses', November 1808
published by John Bell, published in La Belle Assemblée or Bell's Court and Fashionable Magazine
stipple engraving, published 1 November 1808
8 1/2 in. x 5 3/8 in. (217 mm x 135 mm) paper size
Acquired, 1930
Reference Collection
NPG D47516
Artistsback to top
- John Bell (1745-1831), Publisher. Artist or producer associated with 108 portraits, Sitter associated with 4 portraits.
- La Belle Assemblée or Bell's Court and Fashionable Magazine (1806-1832), Magazine. Artist or producer associated with 58 portraits.
This portraitback to top
La Belle Assemblée, number 37. Described in the magazine:
Full, or Evening Dress. A Spanish robe and drapery of bright amber crape, worn over a white satin slip, trimmed round with a vandyke of lace, or frosted silver; a full Spanish sleeve, and fronts of blended materials the same as the dress. White satin girdle, with rich Minerva clasp of frosted silver, gold, or brilliants. A drawn tucker of fine French net. Hair, a waved crop. Shoes white satin; and gloves French kid. - A very young woman may appear in this attractive costume without any other ornament, but to those who are of maturer years this dress cannot be deemed consistent, or complete, without necklace, earrings, and bracelets of pearl, diamonds, or some delicate substitute.
An Evening Dress. A white gossamer satin petticoat and vest, with a Turkish hanging sleeve. Robe of white, rose-coloured, or grass-green imperial net, with shirt to match; the robe trimmed entirely round with Chinese or roset edging in floss silk. The under-dress confined round the waist with a large cord and tassel of silk or silver, and fastened at the bosom with a brooch of diamonds or studded silver. A Roman hood formed of point lace or French net; lappets and front of rich vandyke in antique, finished with a full bow of ribband at the pole of the neck. The hair in irregular curls on the forehead. Shoes of white Spanish; and gloves of white kid.
Subjects & Themesback to top
- Double portraits
- Fashion Plates: Accessories - Gloves - Kid gloves
- Fashion Plates: Activities and occasions - Evening dress
- Fashion Plates: Activities and occasions - Full dress
- Fashion Plates: Bodices - Vests
- Fashion Plates: Dresses - Robes
- Fashion Plates: Dresses - Slips
- Fashion Plates: Dresses - Spanish robes
- Fashion Plates: Fabrics - Crape; Crêpe
- Fashion Plates: Fabrics - Satin
- Fashion Plates: Footwear - Satin shoes
- Fashion Plates: Headwear - Lappets
- Fashion Plates: Headwear - Roman hoods
- Fashion Plates: Influences - Classical influence
- Fashion Plates: Influences - Spanish influence
- Fashion Plates: Influences - Turkish influence
- Fashion Plates: Neckwear - Tuckers; chemise-tuckers
- Fashion Plates: Sleeves and cuffs - Sleeves à l'Orientale; Turkish sleeves; Turkish hanging sleeves
- Fashion Plates: Sleeves and cuffs - Spanish sleeves; slashed sleeves
- Fashion Plates: Trimmings and ornamentation - Vandyking
- Fashion Plates: Undergarments - Chemisettes; habit-shirts
- In profile
- Jewellery - Precious stones
Events of 1808back to top
Current affairs
The 'Mary Anne Clarke affair' erupts in which Clarke, mistress of Frederick, Duke of York, was said to have used her influence with him to run a military promotions racket. Championed by radical government opponents, it ends in the Duke's resignation as Commander-in-Chief of the army.Art and science
Sculptor John Flaxman begins Nelson memorial for St Paul's.Richard Trevithick demonstrates model railway travelling at 12 mph.
International
After taking Portugal, Napoleon invades Spain, deposes the Spanish Bourbon monarchy and appoints his brother Joseph as the new King. ThePeninsular War then begins under Sir John Moore and Arthur Wellesley, later Duke of Wellington, aiming to protect Portugal and exploit Iberian hatred of French tyranny.
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