11 OF 16

'Evening Dress. Dinner Party Dress', November 1828

11 of 16 portraits matching these criteria:

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

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 acquatint, published 1 November 1828
8 1/2 in. x 5 1/4 in. (217 mm x 134 mm) paper size
acquired unknown source, 1930
Reference Collection
NPG D47626

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 magazine:
Evening Dress. A dress of white satin, with a very broad hem round the border, headed by a narrow rouleau; above which is a full and splendid embroidery, embossed in floize silk. The body is en gerbe, with a pointed zone round the waist, embroidered in a similar manner with the border round the skirt. A very narrow tucker of blond surrounds the bust: the sleeves, short and very full, are of white crape, and are confined in the centre by a white satin band. The hair is arranged à la Grecque, and richly ornamented with pink ears of corn, grouped very close, but very tastefully, together. The ear-pendants are en girandoles, formed of three turquoise stones of a pear shape: the necklace is of pearls, with a girandole ornament in the centre, of turquoise stones, to correspond with the ear-rings. A drapery scarf of pink silk is worn with the above dress.
Dinner Party Dress. Over a white satin slip is a dress of amber crape, with the border ornamented by two very full flounces, en dents de loups, which stand out, in large and stiffened flutings: alternating with each quill, or fluting, is a point fastened down close to the dress, giving to this trimming a truly novel and unique effect. Next the shoe is a full wadded rouleau of amber satin; and the points and flutings of the flounces are edged with a narrow satin rouleau: above the upper flounce is an ornament consisting of oblique points, inclining towards the left side, formed of narrow satin rouleaux, in outline. The body is quite plain, and tightly fitting the shape: a very broad, falling tucker of blond, of a superb pattern, and set on full, surrounds the bust. The sleeves are short, and of white satin; over these are long sleeves of plain tulle, à la Marie, confined round the centre of the thickest part of the arm, by an amber satin band; and the wrist part of the sleeve is finished by a broad, pointed cuff of amber satin, the points edged round by narrow blond: a very broad bracelet of gold encircles the wrist, fastened by a large emerald, or a turquoise stone, set à l’Antique. The head-dress is a dress-hat of transparent crape, or stiffened net, of turquoise-blue; though some ladies, whose complexions will admit of it, prefer having the hat of pistachio-green satin: whichever may be adopted, this becoming hat is profusely ornamented under the right side of the brim, which is elevated, with blond, in fan-flutings; on the left side, which is brought down low, over the ear, is a rosette, at the edge of the brim, of white gauze brocaded ribbon, with ends. An ornament of satin, en bateau, the colour of the hat, waves gracefully across the crown, in front, and the whole is finished by a superb plumage of white feathers. The necklace is of wrought gold, of light and elegant workmanship, formed in festoons, which are caught up by various-coloured gems.

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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