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Dinner or opera dress and home morning dress, 1839

2 of 2 portraits matching these criteria:

- subject matching 'Fashion Plates: Headwear - Coiffures à la Berthe'

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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Dinner or opera dress and home morning dress, 1839

published in The Court Magazine and Monthly Critic and Lady's Magazine and Museum
hand-coloured etching, line and stipple engraving, published May 1839
9 3/8 in. x 6 1/8 in. (237 mm x 154 mm) paper size
Acquired, 1930
Reference Collection
NPG D47757

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Dinner or Opera Dress - Sitting Figure - Dress of white gros de Naples embroidered at bottom in a rich pattern done in floss silk. Corsage à pointe with full blonde draperies put on à la Sévigné; the corsage fits quite tight to the bust. The sleeves are tight at top and full the remainder of the way down; two bouillons of blonde divide the plain from the full part of the sleeve; these are ornamented in front with bows of coloured ribbon. Coiffure à la reine Berthe with oreilles de caniche in satin (see plate) and lappets dependant from the back; hair in smooth bands, gold feronnière; white kid gloves, large cameo brooch, bouquet of violets, feather fan. The back of the figure seen in the glass shows that by the addition of a cawl this coiffure might be turned into a dress cap.
Standing Figure - Toilette d'Interieur - Half high dress of poux de soie. Corsage tight to fit the bust, without a ceinture. Sleeves tight at top, with two bouillons, full below; a deep fall of lace is immediately under the lowest bouillon or puffing (see plate); a plain fall of lace round the neck forms a kind of collar. To this toilette is added a new fashioned drawn capotte of white silk or crape trimmed with crêpe lisse and wreaths of lilac; a sprig of the same flower is underneath the front at each side of the face. Hair en bandeaux, yellow gloves, embroidered handkerchief, cambric ruffles.

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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.

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