Mary Edwards

Published/Created:
1742
Physical Description:
126.4 x 101.3 cm
Date Depicted:
1975
1700 AD - 1799 AD
Materials:
oil on canvas
Notes:
A delicate pin holds the lace fichu just under the bust. The headcovering is an unusually lacy version of the mobcap. A gold watch is attached at the waistline.
Abstract:
Dress is delicate and pretty for the first time since the Renaissance. The body is forced into a cone shape by a heavily boned corset. The bosom is pushed up to fill out the wide neckline. The waist is pointed in front and back. Now called a panier, the hoop reappears in the shape of a bell. Made by boning the petticoat, within a short time it has many forms, each extending the silhouette at the sides. Sizes vary from a small hip roll to a large, collapsible, wired shape which is three to four feet from hip to hip and twenty inches from front to back. Following the line of the corset, the bodice of the basic gown is slim, tight and long waisted. The neckline is low, round and wide. Sleeves are fitted smoothly into the armhole and end at the elbow; they are finished in a series of circular puffs. Usually the bodice is undecorated. The skirt is cartridge pleated. For the wide panier it has an extended section which is adjusted by a drawstring. The length of the skirt varies; the most common is to the instep. The sack gown appears around 1720. Sometimes called the Watteau gown, it is the first loose and comfortable-looking garment in centuries. Cut like a coat, its fullness is elaborately pleated into a back yoke. It is fitted at the sides. A corset decorated with lace and ribbons shows at the center front opening. Short sleeves are finished in a cuff. A petticoat, often quilted or embroidered, shows at the front opening of the skirt. In a court version of the sack gown, sometimes known as the French robe, the fabric and trim of the petticoat always match the overgown. The robe is deeply pleated in back and open in front. The stomacher is richly decorated. Sleeves are finished with three flounces of circular ruffles, which are widest at the back.
Associated Names:
Hogarth, William, 1697-1764 [Painter]
Topics:
Costume -- England -- History -- (LC)
Painting -- Britain -- 18th century -- (YVRC)
Period/Style:
Early Georgian
Culture:
French
Accession Number:
4391-140
Genre:
costume (mode of fashion) (AAT)
paintings (AAT)
Format:
Image
Content Type:
Clothing & Accessories
Paintings & Drawings
Rights:
The use of this image may be subject to the copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) or to site license or other rights management terms and conditions. The person using the image is liable for any infringement.
Access Restrictions:
Yale Community Only
Source Creator:
Button, Jeanne and Sbarge, Stephen
Source Title:
History of Costume, In Slides, Notes and Commentaries: Volume 4
Source Created:
New York, NY
Theatre Arts Slide Presentations
1975
Call Number:
GT513 +B87 4 (LC)
Orbis Barcode:
39002051938463
Yale Collection:
Visual Resources Collection
Digital Collection:
Visual Resources Collection
Original Repository:
New York, NY: Frick Collection
OID:
10608696
PID:
digcoll:1841375