First Previous 8 OF 34 NextLast

'Details de Toilette - Corsages, Coiffeurs, &c', 1839

8 of 34 portraits matching these criteria:

- subject matching 'Fashion Plates: Trimmings and ornamentation - Revers'

© 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

'Details de Toilette - Corsages, Coiffeurs, &c', 1839

published in The Court Magazine and Monthly Critic and Lady's Magazine and Museum
hand-coloured etching, line and stipple engraving, published February 1839
9 1/4 in. x 6 1/8 in. (236 mm x 155 mm) paper size
Acquired, 1930
Reference Collection
NPG D47751

Artistback to top

This portraitback to top

Described in the magazine:
First Bust - Dress of white crape over satin. The corsage is made à pointe both at front and back, and laced up at back; the corsage is ornamented with a mantille of tulle or lace, plaited on tolerably full to a bouillon of the same, in which a coloured ribbon is inserted (see plate). The sleeves are very short and perfectly plain, finished at bottom with a deep frill or ruffle to match the mantille, and which reaches as low as the elbow. The front hair is dressed in full tufts of ringlets, à la Mancini, intermixed with a number of full-blown roses; a light wreath of the same likewise crosses the top of the head (see plate); the long hair is twisted up into a number of thick braids, and is worn as low as possible at back.
Second Bust - Dress of pink satin, corsage à pointe; this point, it will be perceived, is long and quite pointed. Very short and full sleeve, finished by a blonde frill. The plain, deep, elaborately embroidered tucker is à la Ninon, quite in the fashion of the reigns of Louis XIII and XIV; in centre of the front is a large brooch, and on each shoulder and at the back are rosette bows of satin ribbon. Very short white kid gloves, trimmed at the top with swansdown. The front hair is in smooth bands, coming low at each side of the face; the back in a twist forming a figure of 8 (see plate). The head-dress is a kind of ornament made upon wire, and covered with satin rouleau, the satin stuffed with wadding; at the right side is a rich plume of feathers intermixed with gold flowers - all placed in a drooping position (see plate); at the left two short feathers and a gold sprig are placed just below the ear. A gold chain with a very minute clasp crosses the brow.
Third Bust - Dress of blue satin, corsage à pointe, with full draperies à la Sévigné. The sleeves are so short that they seem to reach scarcely below the shoulder; a deep double ruffle, however, falls as low as the elbow. Kid gloves, trimmed at top with a bouillon of white gauze. The coiffure consists of a very elegant half turban of gold embroidered gauze, two long lappets fall on the left shoulder, a rich plume of ostrich feathers, intermixed with branches of gold currants, is placed at the right side of this most splendid and becoming coiffure. The front hair is in smooth bands.
Fourth Bust - Walking Dress - Hat of paille poux de soie. The front is évasée, rounded at the sides, and trimmed with a ruche of tulle illusion put on at the inner edge of the front of the hat. The crown is not very high and sits back, as may be seen by that of the pink hat on the opposite figure, which is precisely similar; at the back is a bow of very wide and rich satin ribbon, from this bow a double ribbon is carried to the right side of the front of the hat, where it is fastened with a large velvet flower at the base of a long bouquet which falls over that side (see plate); a very deep fall of blonde is also carried entirely across the front of the crown. Dress of sea-green gros de Naples; corsage high, with a very slight point; a full trimming in style of a revers goes round the bosom of the dress. Long full sleeves, with three puffs at the shoulder, finished at the wrist with cambric ruffles. Flat blonde collar, embroidered all over, fastened in front with a large brooch. White kid gloves. Hair en bandeaux.
Fifth Bust - Pink satin hat, the same as the one just described. Dress of gros de Naples; corsage half high, made to open in front. Long sleeves, plain at the shoulder and full all the way down, with two small puffs at top. Ceinture fastened with a bow in front. Lace frill turned over the bosom of the dress. With the exception of the hat, this is more properly a toilette d'interieur - home morning dress.
Sixth Bust - This dress is nearly similar to that marked No. 1, at the top of the plate. It gives the front of the mantille, which is a pretty finish to the corsage.

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.