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| Madame de Pompadour by Boucher, 1759 |
The 1740s and 1750s in France was the time of large, beautiful Robe a la Francaise gowns, made from stunning textiles, and decorated in all manner of beautiful laces, passementerie, and trimmeries. Here’s what Madame de Pompadour would have sported in her time…
A Selection from The Met:
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| 1750-75 |
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| 1740s |
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| 1750-75 |
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| 1750-75 |
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| 1750-75 |
From the V&A:
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| 1755-60 |
From LACMA:
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| 1740-60 |
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| 1750-70 |
Musee Galliera (via Fripperies and Fobs):
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| 1740-55 |
We don’t see so many 1740s and 50s gowns in the museums as we do the later 18th century. Do you have a favorite? Have you made a gown of this period?
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7 Comments
Becky
May 26, 2012 at 9:44 PMThe two blue francaises are definitely my favourites.
I've already sewn a dress of this era: a white cotton satin (yeah, I know, but it was waaay cheaper) Robe à la Francaise with a false stomacher. It goes rather in the parure direction, but I'd LOVE to do a court dress/grand parure one day… 🙂
Lauren R
May 28, 2012 at 8:14 PMYay for economic sewing! It's so easy to get caught up in the incredible silks of these gowns. I bet your cotton satin looks fantastic 🙂
Olympe de la Tour D'Auvergne
May 27, 2012 at 3:37 AMI've made two gowns in this style; one in ice blue satin and the other in a burgundy and lilac brocade with a matching lilac petticoat and the same fabric pinked and ruched to make passementerie. I loved them both and they were relatively easy to make. I also did a red and black fantasy version for a friend. Someday I'd like to re-create the peach gown in the Pompadour portrait.
Lauren R
May 28, 2012 at 8:14 PMOlympe, you look good in everything. I'm so jealous!
Olympe de la Tour D'Auvergne
May 29, 2012 at 12:31 AMLOL, you're too kind.
Anna
May 27, 2012 at 7:12 AMDrooooool. I love ALL of these. But I think my favorite a la Francaise is this one:
http://collectionsonline.lacma.org/mwebcgi/mweb.exe?request=record;id=1247;type=101
And I know it's not all silk and fluff, it's just linen, but the pattern was so charming and bright the first time I saw it…and then I looked at the details and realized it's EMBROIDERY, not a print, and my tiny mind was blown away.
Also, there's a trio of mannequin women in sacques in pastel colors in the KCI book that is probably one of my all-time favorite images. If I didn't think it would be breaking copyright, I'd scan it and put it up here.
Lauren R
May 28, 2012 at 8:15 PMI agree, I love that dress too, and hey, who cares if it's linen?! It's so bright and cheery. I know the KCI photo you speak of – one of my favorites as well 🙂