Dinner and evening dress, December 1839

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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Dinner and evening dress, December 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 December 1839
9 3/8 in. x 6 1/8 in. (238 mm x 154 mm) paper size
Acquired, 1930
Reference Collection
NPG D47770

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Described in The Court Magazine:
First Figure - Dress of white crape or gauze over a pink satin under dress. Corsage tight and à pointe, with very deep draperies à la Sévigné, sleeves very short, the top or shoulder part set in fluted plaits, the remainder consists of a light drapery, full but very short, for it will be seen by the plate that it does not quite cover the elbow; it is cut in the form of the Venetian sleeve, and looped up in the front of the arm, displaying a short plain white satin sleeve underneath, finished with a ruche of blonde. The skirt of the dress, which is very full, is trimmed round the bottom with a flounce of white blonde, and is about two or three inches shorter than the pink satin skirt, and is looped up at the right side with a gold agraffe. A similar ornament retains the fulness of the drapery in the centre of the front of the corsage, and cameos ornament the sleeves and shoulders. The hair is in full and immensely long tufts of ringlets à la mancini, the back hair is dressed low, and retains a bunch of pink feathers which droop to the left side. Short white kid gloves, with a ruche of satin ribbon at top, white silk stockings, white satin shoes, gold necklace and cross.
Second Figure - Turban of straw colour gauze trimmed with silver lace, the ends falling to the left side, and a silver tassel towards the back at the right; the hair is in smooth bands brought low at the sides of the face, the ends braided and turned up; gold féronnière. Dress cloak of black satin, trimmed round the bottom with a very deep lace. The cape, which is cut en palatine, is of rich blue satin figured, broché, or damassé, and trimmed with deep lace, the same as that on the bottom of the cloak. It does not come up high to the throat, and is fastened with a long blue silk cord and tassels. Black satin shoes; white kid gloves. The only part of the dress visible is a deep flounce of white lace.

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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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