First Previous 11 OF 103 NextLast

Walking Dress, 1839

11 of 103 portraits by The Court Magazine and Monthly Critic and Lady's Magazine and Museum

© 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

Walking Dress, 1839

published in The Court Magazine and Monthly Critic and Lady's Magazine and Museum
hand-coloured etching, line and stipple engraving, published January 1839
9 1/4 in. x 6 in. (236 mm x 153 mm) paper size
Acquired, 1930
Reference Collection
NPG D47749

Artistback to top

This portraitback to top

Described in the magazine:
Toilette de Promenade - Walking Dress Manteau Paletot or Pardessus. This new-fashioned manteau is one of the most elegant articles of the kind which has been seen lately in Paris. It may be made of cashmere, velvet, satin, gros de Naples, or any other material adapted to cloaks. The top of the corsage has a plain piece put in (as in a peignoir) which, as may be seen by the plate, is a good deal sloped out in front of the neck (see plate). The skirt or manteau is then put on in very large flat plaits taken in in two places - at the waist, and higher up; a broad belt confines it at the waist. The sleeves are long, and exceedingly full, they are made to cover the hands entirely at pleasure, or, as in the plate, a black velvet cuff may be put on to confine the sleeve at the wrist, but these cuffs are separate from the sleeves. A capuchon or hood, supplies the place of a cape or collar: it is large enough to cover the head, if necessary, which renders this cloak a most useful appendage to a lady en grande toilette. The cloak is lined and wadded throughout, and trimmed all round with fur. The one in our plate only reaches a little below the knees; some, however, are as long as the dress. That on the sitting figure gives the back of the cloak. Hat of white gros d'Afrique (the newest silk material for hats), it is a thickly ribbed silk, resembling velours épinglé terry velvet. This hat is by no means large: the front is a good deal evasée, the corners rounded, and the crown small and put on so as to sit as flat as possible; a large bow of satin ribbon is placed quite at the side, and the hat is ornamented underneath the front with a full-blown rose on each side. The dress is of gros de Naples, with a deep flounce at bottom. Hair in bands; white kid gloves; embroidered handkerchief; black shoes of satin royal. The dress of the sitting figure shows the back of the cloak and hat, the latter is similar to the white one, with the exception of a bunch of feathers supplying the place of the bow of ribbon.

Portrait setback to top

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1839back to top

Current affairs

The Bedchamber crisis strains relations between the government and the monarchy, after Queen Victoria refuses to dismiss her Whig-appointed ladies of the bedchamber at the request of the new, Conservative Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel. Peel resigns and Melbourne returns as Prime Minister.
The Grand National is first held at the Aintree race course, won by the horse Lottery, and the first Henley Royal Regatta, the rowing event, is held on the Thames.

Art and science

The French and British scientists Louis Daguerre and William Henry Fox Talbot separately publicise their experiments with the new form of photography.
The prolific journalist Harriet Martineau publishes her three decker novel Deerbrook, the story of middle class country life.

International

The first Opium War with China is sparked after the British government refuses to try six British soldiers accused of killing a Chinese man protecting a temple from looters. Relations were strained as Britain had promoted the drug opium in China to boost trade. Winning the war, Britain secured vital trading rights.
African captives aboard the Spanish ship La Amistad revolt, resulting in a highly publicised court case.

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.