10 OF 16

'Walking Dress. Ball Dress', June 1828

10 of 16 portraits matching these criteria:

- subject matching 'Fashion Plates: Hair - Classical Greek hairstyles'

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 June 1828
8 1/2 in. x 5 1/4 in. (217 mm x 134 mm) paper size
acquired unknown source, 1930
Reference Collection
NPG D47624

Artistsback to top

La Belle Assemblée or Bell’s Court and Fashionable Magazine (1806-1832), Magazine. Artist associated with 58 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 magazine:
Walking Dress. A pelisse of lavender-coloured gros de Naples, with narrow lapels ornamented with points, turning back on each side of the bust; each point finished by a gold button. Where the pelisse closes in front, down the skirt, it is cut in square notches, edged by a rouleau, two or three shades darker than the pelisse: a gold button is placed at the commencement of every separation caused by these notches. A plain broad bias fold surrounds the border, headed by a rouleau. The sleeves are à la Marie, with a very broad cuff at the wrist, terminating up the arm in a long sharp point. This pelisse has no collar, and is left very open at the throat; it is finished by a double frill of very fine lace, of a splendid pattern. The hat is formed of gauze ribbons, sewed together in stripes, sea-green and white, in bias, and the strings are of the same two colours: they are very broad, and very long. The hat is also adorned with an elegant profusion of green fancy flowers, of the rose kind, and foliage.
Ball Dress. A dress of pink crape, with two bias folds round the border, ornamented each by pink and silver ribbons, in scrolls; at the top of each scroll, which cross the folds in bias, is a bow of one loop, and rather a long end. The body is made quite plain, and a sash ties behind with bows, and short ends of the same pink and silver ribbons, of which the ornaments on the skirt are composed. The sleeves are short, and are trimmed on the shoulders with bows of pink and silver ribbon. The hair is arranged a la Grecque, and the plait in front of the knot behind is entwined with pearls: across the forehead is a bandeau of hair and pearls. The ear pendants and necklace are of pearls. Two bracelets, formed of gold chains, encircle each wrist.

Portrait setback to top

Fashion plates, 1770-1869

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1828back to top

Current affairs

Duke of Wellington becomes Prime Minister.
Madhouse Act attempts to regulate asylums and ensure new arrivals are genuinely insane.
Repeal of the Test Acts removes political restrictions from dissenters, allowing them to hold public office.

Art and science

London Zoological Gardens open in Regent's Park. They provide both entertainment and a supply of exotic specimens for naturalists and anatomists such as Richard Owen who becomes a European authority on the subject.

International

Daniel O'Connell is elected Member of Parliament for County Clare but as a Catholic is not permitted to take his seat.

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