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Grand dinner or evening dress, August 1839

22 of 27 portraits matching these criteria:

- subject matching 'Fashion Plates: Headwear - Dress caps'

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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Grand dinner or evening dress, August 1839

published by Dobbs & Co, published in The Court Magazine and Monthly Critic and Lady's Magazine and Museum
hand-coloured etching, line and stipple engraving, published August 1839
9 3/8 in. x 6 1/8 in. (237 mm x 156 mm) paper size
Acquired, 1930
Reference Collection
NPG D47762

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Described in the magazine:
Dress of pink, poux de soie, shot with white glacé de blanc. Corsage à pointe, the front in three pieces, and ornamented with a Berthe en guipure. This species of tucker goes round the back of the corsage, and forms the coeur in front. Short sleeves, plain at the shoulder, and cut à la Venetienne, with the exception that the lower corner is rounded off instead of being pointed, and that it does not quite cover the elbow; it is trimmed with a narrow blonde, and has a bow in front. The skirt of the dress is very full, and ornamented with two deep flounces en guipure, headed by a passementerie or gimp trimming; the lower flounce goes round the dress, the upper one is brought high in a festoon at the left side, and finishes by a small bow of ribbon. Cap of blonde, with long lappets descending from the back, with a plain flat head piece, and a full puffing at each ear, in the midst of which is a small circle of flowers. Hair in bands, gold necklace, black net mittens, white satin shoes: from a ring on the little finger of the right hand depends a gold chain, with an eye-glass or smelling-bottle attached to it. The sitting figure gives the back of the dress.

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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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