Skip to main content
Advanced Search
1971-3082, Print
Petite Maitresse en Robe a La Polonaise de toile peinte garnie de mousseline, lisant un lettre, plate 52
1971-3082, Print

Petite Maitresse en Robe a La Polonaise de toile peinte garnie de mousseline, lisant un lettre, plate 52

Date1778
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 number1971-3082
DescriptionPrint is from Galeries des Modes, 7e Cahier, 3e Figure

Upper right corner reads: "52"
Lower margin reads: "Dessine par Le Clerc/ Grave par Dupin/ Petite Maitresse en Robe a la Polonaise de toile peinte garnie de mousseline, lisant une lettre/ A Paris ches Esnauts et Rapilly rue S.t Jacques a la Ville de Coutanes. A.P.D.R."

Translation:
Little Mistress in a Polonaise Gown of painted linen trimmed with muslin, reading a letter.

The Galerie des Modes provides futher information on this plate. It reads

Polonaise, open over the chest and closed in the middle of the waist, with wings that are developed in the front and a tail that blooms in the back.

As the polonaise allows the sight of the chest in its brilliance, if you desire to excite curiosity you will require a fichu or a gauze handkerchief, folded back on itself and trimmed all around the edges: this gives a negligée appearance an air of decency which seems to add to its beauty.

The Print represents a young lady reading a letter. Her gown is of linen painted with floral sprigs and narrow stripes; linen trimming in box pleats, sabot cuffs of the same and a little flared; very high volant, plain at the top with box pleats.

Coiffure in racine droite, topped with a gauze pouf with a curved heron aigrette fitted to her head; four curls on each side, one of which is stylishly falling.

Watch cord of hair, equipped with sequins, key, seal, and a perfume bottle made of ostrich egg.

Shoes with high heels: buckles à la d'Artois, with the latchet of a different color than the rest of the shoe.


Label TextThis plate was published in the French fashion periodical "Gallerie des Modes et du Costume Francais." The plate depicts a woman wearing a robe a la Polonaise of painted linen (toile peinte) and trimmed with muslin. She reads a letter.