'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
8 1/2 in. x 5 1/4 in. (215 mm x 133 mm) paper size
acquired unknown source, 1930
Reference Collection
NPG D47582

Artistsback to top

La Belle Assemblée or Bell’s Court and Fashionable Magazine (1806-1832), Magazine. Artist associated with 57 portraits.
William Read (active 1824-1837), Engraver. Artist associated with 30 portraits.
George Byrom Whittaker (1793-1847), Publisher and bookseller. Artist associated with 26 portraits.

This portraitback to top

Described in the issue for November 1826:
A pelisse of gros de Naples of a pomegranate-red. A full wadded rouleau finishes the skirt next the feet; over this rouleau, at a suitable distance, and down each side of the front, is a trimming, en volan, pinked at the edge, and set on in a serpentine wave; the trimming headed by a narrow rouleau. The pelisse fastens close down the front with full rosettes of gros de Naples. The body is made plain, with a narrow pelerine-cape, partially scolloped, and trimmed at the edge in a correspondent manner to the sides in front of the skirt. The sleeves are en gigot, but not very full. A falling collar of fine India muslin, trimmed with Urling's lace, encircles the throat, and is fastened in front with a rosette of broad pink ribbon. With any other red this would be incongruous, but one great quality in the beautiful and becoming pomegranate-red is, that it is suited to every colour. The bonnet worn with this pelisse is correspondent to it, and is finished by a narrow rûche at the edge of the brim: the trimming on the crown is of the same material, and is put on in arcades, which are edged with a narrow rûche, of a shade lighter. The strings are in a loop of ribbon, variegated with pomegranate-red and green chequers on a white ground.

Portrait setback to top

Fashion plates, 1770-1869

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1826back to top

Current affairs

Riots break out in Lancashire against the use of the power loom, invented by Edmund Cartwright. The looms were gradually being introduced across the country, replacing large numbers of manual workers.

Art and science

Thomas Telford's Menai Straits and Conway Suspension Bridges open, the largest of their kind at the time.

International

Carl Weber arrives to live in England after his opera Der Freischutz is the hit of the London season.

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