French summer dinner dress, 1836

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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French summer dinner dress, 1836

published in Le Follet, Courrier des Salons, Journal des Modes
hand-coloured etching, line and stipple engraving, circa August 1836
8 1/2 in. x 5 3/4 in. (215 mm x 147 mm) paper size
Acquired, 1930
Reference Collection
NPG D47718

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Also published in the Lady's Magazine and Museum, September 1836, with the following description:
Toilette de Campagne, or Summer Dinner Dress - Dress of organdi (book muslin); the corsage made low, à l'enfant. The corsage is extremely full both in front and back, and the gathers very small. The sleeves are long, tight to the arm all the way down, and have deep pointed cuffs at the wrists; they are ornamented at top with triple jockeis (see plate) cut like pointed leaves, and placed over each other, they are edged with a small ganse or cord. The skirt of the dress has an entre-deux (insertion) immediately over the hem; it is lined with a coloured ribbon.
Fichu à la paysanne of tulle, edged inside and out with lace; it is cut much in the style of a half handkerchief, with two or three folds or plaits, to bring it into sit; this fichu is worn very low and open on the neck; it crosses in front, (see plate,) and is pointed at back; a pink ribbon is inserted into the hem at each side. Coiffure demi-antique, the front hair is brought in smooth bands, rather low at the sides of the face, where it is turned up again, but not braided; the back hair is in three high coques or bows, and a thick braid; three rows of pearls go round the head, one crosses the brow, the others are placed farther back; a full blown (natural) rose is placed over each temple. Long gold earrings; black velvet ribbon round the neck, from which is suspended a gold cross and heart, pink satin ceinture, with long ends in front, white kid gloves, black satin shoes, bouquet of violets and roses, fan.
Sitting Figure. - The dress, which gives the back of the last, is of pale lavender poux de soie. Tulle scarf.

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Events of 1836back to top

Current affairs

William Lovett founds the Working Men's Association, the precursor to Chartism, with the aim to achieving equal social and political rights between men of all classes.
A reduction in stamp duty from 4d to 1d helps to keep unstamped newspapers off the street, and leads to wider circulation of legal newspapers.
The first railway line is built in London, connecting to Greenwich and operated by the London Greenwich Railway (LGR).

Art and science

The American poet and writer Ralph Waldo Emerson outlines his theory of transcendentalism in Nature, in which he argues for individualism above traditional authority, stressing the infinitude of the private self and the possibility of achieving an original relation to the universe.
The German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer publishes On the Will in Nature, a precursor to his famous The World as Will and Representation.

International

Texas declares its independence from Mexico following a series of battles, including those at the Alamo and Goliad. Sam Houston is the first president of Texas, serving both in 1836-38 and 1841-44.
The city of Adelaide is founded in Australia, at the mouth of the Torrens river, named in honour of Queen Adelaide, consort of William IV.

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