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'Opera Dress. Evening Costume', February 1829

18 of 63 portraits matching these criteria:

- subject matching 'Fashion Plates: Sleeves and cuffs - Mancherons; epaulettes'

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'Opera Dress. Evening Costume', February 1829

published by George Byrom Whittaker, published in La Belle Assemblée or Bell's Court and Fashionable Magazine
hand-coloured etching and aquatint, published 1 February 1829
7 3/4 in. x 4 5/8 in. (196 mm x 117 mm) paper size
Acquired, 1930
Reference Collection
NPG D47653

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Described in the magazine:
Opera Dress. Over a white satin slip, a dress of crêpe aerophane, with a broad hem at the border. The corsage is of velvet, of a violet colour; long, and pointed in front, at the base, with a Sévigné drapery across the bust; in the centre of which is a cameo set in gold. The sleeves are of white crape, a la Marie; with the fulness confined at the upper part of the arm, by gold armlets; and at the wrists by very broad bracelets of gold, each fastened by a cameo head. The mancherons are formed of points of violet-coloured velvet. The head-dress consists of a velvet hat of violet-colour, placed very much on one side, and ornamented under the elevated part of the brim, on the right, with a gold chain cordon, and one white feather, waving in a spiral direction towards the edge of the brim. The crown, which is very low, is surmounted with white plumage, playing tastefully in various directions. The ear-pendants are of gold, en girandoles; with a necklace formed of three rows of massive gold chain-work.
Evening Costume. A dress of amber-coloured crape, with a full border, bouillonnée, the puckering headed by embossed branches of foliage, and single leaves, formed of amber-satin. The body is of satin, and made low, especially at the shoulders; and trimmed round the bust with a double, falling tucker of blond, of a rich pattern. The sleeves are short, and very full; on the outside of the arm they are ornamented with a pointed drapery of blond, fastened down with two small bows of satin ribbon. A belt of pearls encircles the waist. The hair is beautifully arranged, in a Madonna-braid in front, separated on the forehead, and on each side of the face are masses of ringlets, depending lower on the left side than on the other; and crowned with a turban of scarlet crape, ornamented with sprigs of heath. A bandeau, composed of one row of large and valuable pearls, crosses the forehead.

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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.

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