Ackermann’s Repository of Arts, June 1815.
“Carriage Dress.”
This print shows a woman viewing paintings, and the program in her hand says “British Institution” at the top. In the same issue of the magazine there is an article entitled “Exhibition of Paintings by the Flemish and Dutch Masters at the British Institution, Pall Mall.” A nice little connection. The British Institution plays a small role on my book In the Thrill of the Night, as explained here.
A carriage dress is generally meant for traveling. I have always assumed that meant it was appropriate for a long journey, and that for shorter trips within London or within one’s neighborhood in the country, a walking dress would do. If that is true, and of course I may be wrong, then perhaps this lady traveled some distance in her elegant satin pelisse to see this exhibition.
The print is described in the magazine as follows:
“White satin pelisse, richly ornamented at the feet with clusters of leaves made in white twilled sarsnet, headed with tull; open fronts, trimmed to the bottom of the waist with a superb shell trimming of white satin ribbon and tull; loose unconfined sleeve, with corresponding trimmings at the hand. Hat composed of white satin and tull, with a plume of feathers of the pomona green. Half-boots of similar colour. Gloves en suite.”
