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Walking and visiting dress, May 1843

90 of 94 portraits by Dobbs & Co

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Walking and visiting dress, May 1843

published by Dobbs & Co, published in The Court Magazine and Monthly Critic and Lady's Magazine and Museum, first published in Le Follet, Courrier des Salons, Journal des Modes
hand-coloured etching, line and stipple engraving, published May 1843
8 in. x 5 3/4 in. (203 mm x 146 mm) paper size
Acquired, 1930
Reference Collection
NPG D47916

Artistsback to top

This portraitback to top

Described in the magazine:
1st Figure. - Modes de Longchamps. Dress of lavender colour. Cameleon, shot with pink and white. The skirt is very ample, and ornamented with a deep flounce of the same material, which reaches considerably above the knee. The flounce is not set on full, and is finished at bottom by a sort of bouillon of the silk. The body is tight, with a rounded point in front; it is finished by a double liseré (piping).
A camail of the same material as the dress is worn with it. This is pulled in at the shoulders to prevent its covering the arm entirely, and has a small cape. The trimming corresponds with that on the flounce. The sleeves are moderately tight, and finished by a bouillon. Collar of rich lace, with a narrow ruche at top. The bonnet is of white crape trimmed with ruches of tulle; a flower droops on the left side. There is a narrow quilling also inside the front, and a small pink flower placed low near the cheek. Embroidered pocket handkerchief and varnished leather shoes. Pale yellow gloves.
Standing Figure - Redingote of fawn-colour pekin striped with green, the body tight to the figure, the stripes going en gerbe. Tight sleeves with a single seam, finished by a lace ruffle. The skirt is trimmed with two broad tucks cut on the cross, and fastens in front. A chemisette of lace is worn inside, and serves instead of a collar. The hat is of paille de riz, with a thick ruche of tulle at both the outer and inner edges. A large branch of pink acacia is placed on the top, and droops to the left side. Pink flowers ornament the inside also. A lilac scarf mantelet, fringed at the ends, is thrown carelessly over the shoulders. Gloves of light-fawn-colour. Blue parasol, and bouquet. Bottines of black satin.

Events of 1843back to top

Current affairs

Sir Henry Cole commissions 1,000 copies of the first Christmas card, designed by John Callcott Horsley. Cole would later be instrumental in staging the Great Exhibition, and in developing science and art education in Britain.
Nelson's statue, by E.H. Bailey, is placed on top of its column in Trafalgar Square.

Art and science

The Theatre Regulations Act is passed, abolishing the privileged position of the 'major' theatres which held letters patent from the crown, allowing all theatres to perform 'legitimate' theatre.
First volume of Ruskin's Modern Painters published, praising Turner and demanding that artists should demonstrate 'truth to nature' in their work. Ruskin is a great inspiration to the Pre-Raphaelites.

International

The first experimental telegraph wire is constructed between Baltimore and Washington, using Morse code to send a message. The code, in which pulses of current deflect an electromagnet, moving a marker and producing written codes on a strip of paper, had been invented by Samuel Morse in 1838. The line officially opens in 1844.

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