Ackermann’s Repository of Arts, November 1810.
“Walking & Morning Dress”
I love this print because of the faces of the two women, which are so beautifully painted. Ackermann is said to have hired specialists for hand-painting the faces. This publication had a circulation of about 2000 copies at this time, and all prints were hand-colored. So each of these ladies had to be painted 2000 times!
The print is described in the magazine as follows (note the amount of space given to the bonnet and cap, indicating how important headwear was to the female readers):
“Walking Dress [standing lady]: Robe of white Indian muslin, with Spanish vest and Flemish skirt, ornamented at the bottom, bosom, and sleeves with needle-work, or appliquéd lace; antique cuffs, pointed collar, fastened in the center of the throat with a topaz broach. Bonnet à la Mary, Queen of Scots, composed of intertwined crape and straw, and lined throughout with rose-coloured sarsnet; the extremity of the crown finished with Vandyke scallops in white satin, the edges terminated with straw; a small bouquet of autumnal flowers in front, blended with bows of white satin ribbon, and tied under the chin with the same. French tippet of leopard silk shag. Shoes and gloves of rose-coloured kid.
“Morning Dress [reclining lady]: A plain muslin round gown with long sleeves and embroidered habit shirt trimmed round the throat with a deep lace. Muslin spencer jacket without sleeves, very short, trimmed round the arm-holes, bosom, and waist with lace. A helmet cap, formed of alternate lace and stripes of embroidery; finished on the crown with a square of lace, edged with beading; in the front, full quillings, or gathered lace, formed in a sort of turban; the cap tied under the chin with white ribbon. Gloves and shoes of blue-coloured kid.”
