4 OF 16 
Angelica Catalani as Semiramis in 'Semiramide'; A Parisian Lady in a Winter Walking Dress
4 of 16 portraits of Angelica Catalani
© National Portrait Gallery, London
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Angelica Catalani as Semiramis in 'Semiramide'; A Parisian Lady in a Winter Walking Dress
after Unknown artist
hand-coloured line and stipple engraving, circa 1806-1807
6 1/2 in. x 5 5/8 in. (164 mm x 144 mm) paper size
Purchased with help from the Friends of the National Libraries and the Pilgrim Trust, 1966
Reference Collection
NPG D34580
Subjects & Themesback to top
Events of 1806back to top
Current affairs
William Pitt dies in January and his lifelong opponent Charles James Fox dies in September. Pitt is succeeded by William Wyndham, Baron Grenville, who forms the 'Ministry of all the Talents' coalition .Prince of Wales instigates the 'Delicate Investigation'; a Parliamentary enquiry into claims that his wife Caroline had an illegitimate child.
Art and science
John Constable embarks on a formative tour of the Lakes and makes landscape studies of the Langdale Pikes and Helvellyn.Turner exhibits his Thames views to acclaim at his own London gallery.
Humphrey Davy discovers the elements potassium and sodium by passing an electrical current through molten compounds.
International
Soprano Angelica Catalani arrives from Italy to make her London debut, amazing audiences with her showpiece arias.Napoleon turns his forces east against Austria, Russia and Prussia and enjoys a wave of French victories.
British attack on Buenos Aires under General William Beresford fails.
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Christine
20 August 2016, 21:14
I came across this image in La Belle Assemblee, Jan 1807, as part of the magazine's fashion editorial, and accompanied by an intriguing critique of the singer's vocal talents.
The description of the dress in the plate is as follows:
PARISIAN COSTUME
No. 3—MADAME CATALANI
A long flowing veste and drapery of crimson velvet, lined with white sarsnet, and richly ornamented with a Turkish border, in gold; the drapery drawn through a cestus, formed of gold and sapphire, and terminated with a large gold tassel; confined in front of the right shoulder with a brooch to correspond, from whence flows another point of the vest, finished with a similar tassel. A double tunique, or under dress, of French net, with loose long sleeves, and round bosom, cut low, spotted, and most splendidly embroidered in gold at the bottom. White satin petticoat embroidered to correspond. A Grecian diadem, of gold, and brilliants. A square Brussels veil of the most transparent texture, lightly embroidered in gold, fixed at the back of the diadem, and flowing negligently over the left arm. Hair close cropt behind, falling in irregular corkscrew ringlets in front and on the sides. The necklace, one row of fine brilliants, set transparent, and fastened in the centre with a long square brooch of sapphire and gold; earrings to correspond. White satin shoes, trimmed, and embroidered at the toes, in gold.
No. 4—PARISIAN WALKING DRESS
A fine milled kerseymere Opera coat, of a silver grey; wrapt plain round the figure in front, and buttoned down the left side; square lappels, and rolled collar, of black velvet; deep cape a la pelerine; belt buttoned in front; double, erect, Vandyke frill, plaited a la Queen Elizabeth. Hunting bonnet similar with the coat, bound with black velvet, bows and ends in front trimmed to correspond. Hair in confined curls; amber earrings. Ridicule of crimson velvet, with gold-coloured silk fringe and tassels. Crimson velvet shoes.