First Previous 15 OF 19 NextLast

Dinner dress, 1839

15 of 19 portraits matching these criteria:

- subject matching 'Fashion Plates: Neckwear - Falling tuckers'
- 'Image on website'

© 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 Close

Dinner dress, 1839

published in The Court Magazine and Monthly Critic and Lady's Magazine and Museum
hand-coloured etching, line and stipple engraving, published March 1839
7 7/8 in. x 5 7/8 in. (200 mm x 149 mm) paper size
Acquired, 1930
Reference Collection
NPG D47753

Artistback to top

This portraitback to top

Described in the magazine:
Costume de Ville - Dinner dress. Dress of cendre de rose satin, corsage made low and quite tight to the bust; short full sleeves in two puffs, or sabots, with ribbons between (see plate) and very deep blonde ruffles à la Louis XIV. The skirt is ornamented with two bouillon trimmings, placed rather distant from each other, at the left side of the dress they form a kind of festoon, and are finished with a large bunch of full blown roses, without either foliage or stalks (see plate). A similar bouquet, but only consisting of four much smaller roses, retains the rich blonde tucker in front of the corsage. The turban is of India muslin wrought in gold, and after forming a thick roll over the brow, hangs down as low as the shoulder on the left side. The hair is in smooth bands and a feronnière crosses the forehead. On the neck is a short gold chain, from which depends a Saint Esprit. Gold bracelets are over the gloves, which are of white kid, with a quilling of satin ribbon at top. White silk stockings, black satin shoes.

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.