![](https://i0.wp.com/farm3.staticflickr.com/2561/4065390450_8706881774_z.jpg?resize=460%2C640) |
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:
![](https://i0.wp.com/images.metmuseum.org/CRDImages/ci/web-large/CI54.70ab.jpg?resize=508%2C640) |
1750-75 |
![](https://i0.wp.com/images.metmuseum.org/CRDImages/ci/web-large/DT3884.jpg?resize=512%2C640) |
1740s |
![](https://i0.wp.com/images.metmuseum.org/CRDImages/ci/web-large/CI59.29.1ab_B.JPG?resize=496%2C640) |
1750-75 |
![](https://i0.wp.com/images.metmuseum.org/CRDImages/ci/web-large/CI60.40.1ab_F.JPG?resize=504%2C640) |
1750-75 |
![](https://i0.wp.com/images.metmuseum.org/CRDImages/ci/web-large/11.60.221a%E2%80%93c_B.jpg?resize=406%2C640) |
1750-75 |
From the V&A:
![](https://i0.wp.com/media.vam.ac.uk/media/thira/collection_images/2006AV/2006AV6192_jpg_l.jpg?resize=490%2C640) |
1755-60 |
From LACMA:
![](https://i0.wp.com/collectionsonline.lacma.org/MWEBimages/2011_04_april/full/M2007_211_928-AV002.jpg?resize=478%2C640) |
1740-60 |
![](https://i0.wp.com/collectionsonline.lacma.org/MWEBimages/c_t08_mm/full/M57_24_5a-b.jpg?resize=472%2C640) |
1750-70 |
Musee Galliera (via Fripperies and Fobs):
![](https://i0.wp.com/24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lwlf647VRH1qf46efo1_500.jpg?resize=512%2C640) |
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 🙂