Habit de bal à la paysanne, plate 48

Date1779

Engraver Nicolas Dupin

After work by Pierre-Thomas LeClerc (ca. 1740 - ca. 1799)

Publisher Esnauts & Rapilly (fl. ca. 1775-1811)

OriginEurope, France, Paris

MediumHand-colored etching and line engraving

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1971-3079

DescriptionPrint from Galerie des Modes, 20e Cahier, 5e et 6e Figures

Upper left corner reads: "48"
Lower margin reads: "Dessiné par LeClerc/ Gravé par Dupin/ Habit de bal à la paysanne, composé d'un juste et une juppe de taffetas/ gris garni de bandes de taffetas rose./ A Paris chez Esnauts et Rapilly rue S.t Jacques à la Ville de Coutances. A.P.D.R"

Translation:
"Peasant" ball dress, composed of a jacket and petticoat of grey taffeta trimmed with bands of pink (rose) taffeta.

The Galerie des Modes also offered further explanation of this print and its companion male print. It stated:

"Ball and Theater Costumes. It suffices to glance at the two Prints to understand that they are intended to hang pendant. They contain the newly-adopted costume for appearing as a gallant Peasant and a young female Peasant.

The female Peasant's dress must be composed of a 'just' or corset edged and trimmed on all the seams with ribbons; the sleeves with a flat 'parement'; the petticoat cut across the middle with a flat band of taffeta accompanied by two ribbons of the same color, placed in circles; half-apron of gauze, spreading over the petticoat, attached under the basques of the juste, and trimmed around the whole edge.

Hair 'en chien couchant' with curls, where there are three reversed curls; straw hat; braided and hanging 'chignon' ending under the hat, where it is held by a bow of ribbons 'en bandelette'.

These outfits, as simple as they are gallant, have been generally adopted by the Theater, for Balls, and for all the Parties consecrated to pleasure."

Label TextThis plate was published in the French fashion periodical "Gallerie des Modes et du Costume Francais." This fashion plate depicts a woman wearing a ball gown "a la paysanne" (Peasant) a "fair" and grey taffeta skirt trimmed with bands of pink taffeta.