'Parisian Ball Dress', April 1829

1 portrait by R. Ackermann's Repository of Fashions

© National Portrait Gallery, London

 Like voting
is closed

Thanks for Liking

Please Like other favourites!
If they inspire you please support our work.

Buy a print Buy a greetings card Make a donation

'Parisian Ball Dress', April 1829

published by Rudolph Ackermann, published in R. Ackermann's Repository of Fashions
hand-coloured etching, line and stipple engraving, published 1 April 1829
8 3/8 in. x 4 1/2 in. (212 mm x 113 mm) paper size
Acquired, 1930
Reference Collection
NPG D47641

Artistsback to top

This portraitback to top

Described in issue number 4 of the magazine:
Standing figure. A topaz coloured satin slip finished round the bottom of the skirt with a very broad rouleau of the same material, and stiffened so as to stand out considerably. The gown is of white blond lace, the ground covered with a running pattern in leaves, disposed in lozenges. Corsage tight to the shape, cut very low and square; a piece of the same material is let in and disposed in drapery folds across the bosom; they are less full than usually and are confined on each shoulder by a gold clasp with a diamond in the middle; a gold brooch ornamented in a similar manner, and having five diamonds pendant, fastens them in the centre of the bosom, which is marked by a rouleau of white satin. Short sleeve of blond over satin, puffed as much as usual on the shoulder, confined to the arm by a white satin rouleau, finished by a row of narrow blond, and surmounted by a fall of broad blond lace. Cordelière of white silk richly wrought. The trimming of the skirt consists of a single flounce of broad blond lace, laid on rather full, and in such a manner that the edge forms a heading. The hair is arranged in full clusters of curls on the temples, and dressed very high behind in full bows; a gold star, with a diamond in the middle, ornaments the braid that crosses the forehead; a gold comb set with diamonds is placed in the centre of the bows in front; three long blue ostrich feathers are placed behind the bows so as to droop a little over, and two others at the left side. Diamond ear-rings; white gros de Naples sandals; white kid gloves; cedar fan.
Sitting figure. An under dress of light green gros de Naples, over which is a gown of tulle to correspond in colour. Corsage uni, cut square, very low behind, but rather high in front; the back broad between the shoulders, but considerably sloped at the sides and narrow at the bottom, forms the shape in a very becoming manner. Blond lace tucker à l'enfant. Short full sleeve of tulle over satin. Cordelière of silver twist a gros grains. The bottom of the skirt is trimmed with a very broad biais, headed by a rouleau of satin and tulle, the last spotted with silver; a rich embroidery of bouquets of flowers in silver ornaments the biais. The hair is dressed full on the temples; the hind hair, drawn up to the crown of the head, is arranged in bows, except a single tress, which is plaited and brought round the back of the head and across the forehead; pink feathers, tipped with white, are disposed among the bows of hair; and a butterfly, composed of various coloured gems, ornaments the centre of the forehead. Ear-rings and bracelets, gold and sapphires; white kid gloves; white satin shoes.

Portrait setback to top

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1829back to top

Current affairs

Metropolitan police force of over three thousand paid, uniformed, professional policemen founded by Home Secretary Sir Robert Peel.
Roman Catholic Relief Act grants emancipation; Catholics admitted to vote, sit in parliament and hold almost all public offices.

Art and science

Success of George Stephenson's Rocket steam engine at Rainhill Trials.
First London bus service licensed; the new 'box-on-wheels' contributes greatly to the expansion of the suburbs.
Apsley House completed for the Duke of Wellington by Benjamin Wyatt.
First Oxford and Cambridge boat race.

International

Andrew Jackson is elected President of the United States.

Comments back to top

We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.

If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.