꧁ Gowns in Art ꧂

On By ResaIn Gowns in Art 
꧁ Gowns in Art ꧂
Ep. 1 with Roberta Eaton Cheadle

Via the colour or other comparable aspect of the gown &/or painting – I will first pair a fine art painting from Robbie’s collection, then one from my collection, .

White Gowns

Jeune Femme se Poudrant – by Berthe Morisot – French (1841 – 1895)

Berthe Morisot‘s only daughter, Julie, inspired the many paintings, which documented the lives of women. The painting below is one of those paintings. It hangs in the Musée d’Orsay, Paris.

1887 – Oil on Canvas

Fortunate to have a genuine art education, Morisot studied under Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot. In the 1860s, Morisot became a professional friend of Edouard Manet.

From1864 – 1870, she showed regularly at the Paris Salon.

In 1874, Morisot exhibited with the Société Anonyme des Artistes-Peintres, Sculpteurs, Graveurs, the first Impressionist exhibit.

In December, 1874 she married Eugène Manet (brother of Edouard Manet).

Achieving significant recognition during her lifetime, in 1887 her work showed at George Petit’s International Exhibition in Paris and Paul Durand-Ruel’s exhibition of Impressionist painting in New York.

Mrs. Wells as “Hebe” – James Northcote – British (1746 – 1831)

James Northcote was a writer as well as a painter of predominantly portraits. Largely self taught, he studied under and worked for Sir Joshua Reynolds. He became a member of The Royal Academy in 1787.

1805 – Oil on Canvas

At this time in history, allegorical artworks portraying people as mythological or historical figures were the height of fashion. 

Mrs, Wells as “Hebe” features British actress Mary Wells (1761-1829), immortalizing herself via this painting.

Zeus’s daughter – Hebe, goddess of youth & cupbearer of the gods, was also the young bride’s patron goddess.

A Child’s Gown

Portrait of Clara Alewijn – Dirk van Santvoort – Netherlands (1610-1680)

Dirk van Santvoort was a prominent painter of children circa the mid seventeenth century. Clara Alewijn, the subect of the portrait below, was van Santvoort’s sister.

Oil on canvas – 1644

He likely studied under his farther – Dirck Pietersz. Bontepaert. None of the father’s work weathered time. After becoming wealthy, Van Santvoort ceased painting. He became the Dean of the Painters’ Guild and was an assessor of paintings.

Portrait of a Young Girl with Carnations – Jan Albertsz. Rotius – Netherlands (1615-1674)

Jan Albertsz. Rotius (aka Rootgies) was a portrait and still life painter

Oil on Canvas – circa 1663

He had 7 children, of which only 3 survived to adulthood. His son Jacob Rotius, became a successful painter of flowers.

Feels Antediluvian

Venus and the Three Graces Presenting Gifts to a Young Woman – Sandro Botticelli – Italian (1445-1510)

Botticelli, a draughtsman and painter, began painting religious frescoes before opening his own studio circa 1470.

Fresco – circa 1484

Prior to opening his studio he apprenticed in the studio of Fra Filipo Lippi, then worked with Antonio del Pollaiuolo. Botticelli spent most his life in service of the Medici family and their clique.

Aka Gioo degli Albizzi Receiving a Gift of Flowers from Venus, this fabulous fresco resides in the Louvre since 1882.

Found again in Italy in 1873, it is believed he used the patron’s daughter, possibly on her wedding engagement, for this allegorical image.

Botticelli’s name almost vanished from art circles until the late 19th century. At that time an esteem for the Florentine arts and culture renewed a look at his creations.

Initiation to Study – Two Young Ladies – Odilon Redon – French (1840-1916)

Bertrand-Jean Redon was a Symbolist painter, as well as a print maker.

At 15, his father made him switch from drawing to architecture. Later, he enjoyed sculpture and was instructed in etching and lithography by Rodolphe Bresdin.

He joined the army during the Franco-Prussian War, putting his career on hold.

Redon was still mostly unknown until in 1884, when a novel by Joris-Karl Huysmans titled, À rebours, featured a debauched aristocrat who collected Redon’s drawings.

A catalogue of his etchings and lithographs, published in 1913, caused his popularity to increase.

“My drawings inspire, and are not to be defined. They place us, as does music, in the ambiguous realm of the undetermined.” – REDON

The Lady Wears Black

La Dame aux éventails –  Édouard Manet – French – 1832-1883

Manet emerged from wealth. He studied at the studio of artist Thomas Couture, then began copying paintings at the Louvre. Manet, inspired by the work of Spanish painter Diego Velázquez, chose a non academic free manner of loose brushwork.

He married Suzanne Leenhoff  in 1863. She modelled for at least 13 of his paintings, but not for Olympia. Exhibited at the 1865 Salon, this parody of the classic Venus created a vicious scandal, making Manet the de facto leader of the avant-garde.

Oriental Poppies – Laura Muntz Lyall – Canadian (1860-1930)

Born in England, Laura Muntz Lyall immigrated to Canada at the age of 9 years. The first Canadian artist to receive honourable mention at the Paris Salon, she is also the first female Canadian Impressionist artist to have her work become part of the National Gallery of Canada.

Oil on Canvas – circa 1915

Laura Muntz-Lyall studied in London, Toronto and Paris. She supported herself in Paris by teaching English. Prior to moving to Montreal in 1906, where she ran a prominent studio at Beaver Hall Square, she taught art at Toronto’s Havargal College.

The Red Gown

The Jewish Bride aka Isaac and Rebecca – Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1609)

Rembrandt attended Leiden University. Here he studied literature and history. He learned painting from Jacob Van Swanenburgh, then apprenticed in Amsterdam with history painter Pieter Lastman.

Oil on Canvas – Circa 1665-69

Later in his life, Rembrandt’s wife and some of their children died, leaving him in a state of loss. Demand for his work declined, and he declared bankruptcy.

This canvas, which he said brought him to tears, was painted later in Rembrandt’s career, when he was considered in artistic decline.

Ironically, this era yielded many of his most revered works, when rich earth tones ran from thinly painted areas to thick impasto.

“…Hang this picture in a bright light and in such a manner that it can be viewed from a distance. It will then sparkle at its best. “ – Rembrandt

I’m Half Sick of Shadows, Said the Lady of Shalott – John William Waterhouse – English (1849-1917)

John William Waterhouse was born in Rome, prior to his parents moving back to England in the 1850’s. His paintings’ early classical themes gave way to genre paintings in the late 1870’s.

Oil on Canvas – 1915

By 1888, Waterhouse’s paintings reveal a growing interest in Pre-Raphaelite themes. He developed a penchant for ladies of tragic circumstance or femmes fatales. In 1901 he joined the St John’s Wood Arts Club. Here he served on the Art School advisory council.

Based on Lord Alfred Tennyson’s poem – “The Lady of Shalott” is from the legends of King Arthur and his court at Camelot. The Lady of Shalott, aka Elaine Astolat, suffers a curse. Trapped in a tower, she may not look out the window. She observe’s the world through a window-facing mirror, weaving what she sees.

Waterhouse and his wife, Esther, married in 1883. She outlived him by 27 years.

“I’m Half Sick of Shadows, Said the Lady of Shalott” is inspired by the first 2 verses in part II.


PART II

No time hath she to sport and play:
A charmed web she weaves away.
A curse is on her, if she stay
Her weaving, either night or day,
To look down to Camelot.
She knows not what the curse may be;
Therefore she weaveth steadily,
Therefore no other care hath she,
The Lady of Shalott.

But in her web she still delights
To weave the mirror's magic sights,
For often thro' the silent nights
A funeral with plumes and lights
  And music came from Camelot:
Or when the moon was overhead
Came two young lovers lately wed;
"I'm half sick of shadows," said
The Lady of Shalott.

Read entire poem at the POETRY FOUNDATION.

Roberta Eaton Cheadle

A prolific creator of art, poetry and prose, Robbie is the Bloggers’ Blogger. Her 2 blogs Roberta Writes and Robbie’s Inspiration will not just entertain, but sweep you around the blogiverse, where she shares a multitude of topics with her many blog pals. – Resa McConaghy

About

A Big Thank You to Robbie for joining me with her contribution of photos.

Photos of: Jeune Femme se Poudrant, Portrait of Clara Alewijn, Venus and the Three Graces Presenting Gifts to a Young Woman, La Dame aux éventails, The Jewish Bride aka Isaac and Rebecca -Are All Taken by and ©️ Roberta Eaton Cheadle.

About the Header Image

Oil on canvas – by George Théodore Berthon (1846)

Harriet Boulton Smith (1825-1909) willed her art collection and residence, The Grange – “to serve as the first home of the Art Museum of Toronto. Built in 1817, the Grange is a national historic site,” – now part of the AGO

Please click on the below painting by Louise-Adéone Drölling, to view all research links.

NO AI was used in the research or preparation of this post.

All Photos not credited to Roberta Eaton Cheadle are taken by and ©️ Resa McConaghy at various times at the Art Gallery of Ontario.

177 thoughts on “꧁ Gowns in Art ꧂”

    1. Hi Resa, you are an enchantress with creating art posts. This was an incredible journey through some amazing artworks and a little history about them. I absolutely adore Mrs, Wells as “Hebe” which I have not seen before. I wondered about the bird which looks like an eagle in the painting. It been a scene from a play makes that addition even more intriguing. I have finally managed to finish my African painted wild dog painting. It was a three month labour of love. I will share it soon.

      Reply

      3. Ohh, thank you, Robbie.

        Yes, I adore Mrs, Wells as “Hebe”. It’s part of the AGO’s collection.

        I was fascinated to learn the model was an actual actress in her day. Being as that there was no photography (especially selfies by the millions), seeing images of actual people is so intriguing!

        I can hardly wait to see your new painting. Thanks for everything dear Robbie! xo

        Reply

        1. You are right. Historical images of people were save through painted portraits. I only take selfies when we visit a special place. I take one selfie of TC and I at the place. Other than these memory pictures, I don’t take many photographs of people. I’m pleased with this new painting. I incorporated new techniques I’ve learned in my recent painting classes.

          Reply

          1. Yes, it’s nice to have memory pics, but, it seems there are more pics than memories these days.

            Ohhh…. new techniques, very cool! (and exciting)
            When will we get to see it?

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        1. Yes, and that is something I found later in my life. I’m hoping to pass that on to others who haven’t discovered that joy, yet.

          My love affair began with street art.

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            1. That is so cool!
              My parents never took me once to a museum or gallery, and I never saw an art book until I left home.

              However, I could dance a mean polka by 8, and could sew my own clothes by 13. And the latter paid off!

              Reply

              1. I can’t sew at all! My mom’s mom sewed, and she made outfits for me and my little sister when we were very young.

                My parents were very big on education, art, culture, music. . .when my dad went back to college when I was in high school, he majored in art history, then got his Ph.D. in history.

              2. Oooo, how cool that your mom made outfits for you and your sister.
                I made clothes for my niece and nephews. They loved it!
                I made my nephews Batman and Superman capes. They still talk about it.

                Ahh.. a PHD in history…like you! He must have influenced you!
                So fabulous!

              3. Hahaha. No. My mom did not sew. Her mother, my grandmother did. She died when I was very young though.

                He finished his only a few years before I started mine. Both of us at Temple U. He was very proud.

              4. Ahh, my grandmother got me started sewing. She had a fascinating old treadle.

                I’m sure he was proud. It’s a wonderful thing!

                ꧁ 💙 ꧂

    1. Thank you, Dave! It’s a blast collaborating with Robbie.

      I find it intriguing that people half a world away from each other can be so aligned. In our case, and many others, it’s the arts bringing us together.

      War brings people together, out of necessity. But why bother with the slaughter?

      Make art not war!

      Reply

    1. Thank you!

      I agree Priscilla. Crazy, although I always knew about Tennyson’s Lady of Shalott, I never really read the entire work. It took the Waterhouse paintings for me to give the poetry its due diligence.

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  4. Dear Resa and Robbie, such beautiful selections of some of the world’s most famous artists and their breathtaking works of art. It truly was like walking the halls of the world’s most famous and elaborate museums. The gorgeous colors, both vivid and muted seem impossible yet these incredible artists have made them so. To choose a favorite would be impossible, though the Waterhouse painting is spectacular. You’ve taken us back to an era of art that is timeless. The Romanticism and surrealist paintings that grace the walls of these museums are a gift to mankind. Thank you for working together to create your own work of art.
    xoxoxoxoxo

    Reply

    1. Thank you dear Holly!

      Best gift Norm ever gave me was my membership to the art gallery.

      To think there was no art supplies boutique and artists made their own paints, or painted on wood, later stretched their own canvases, yet these beautiful works were created.

      It seems many of the historical female artists learned from artist father’s, who had no sons to assist them. So, the daughter would mix paints, stretch canvases and learn to paint.

      The Waterhouse painting is a knock out! I still recall walking out of the Tissot exhibit into the hallway where it hangs. It was right square in my view. I fell in love, and stood there for about 20 minutes.

      Every time I go to the AGO, I route myself by that painting. It is magic.

      It’s a fab experience collaborating with Robbie. As you know, I love collaborating. Everyone brings something different to the blog party.

      xoxoxo🐭🎨🐭xoxoxo

      Reply

    1. Aww, thank you Jan!
      I’ve never been to the Louvre, but i’m sure it is phenomenal. I have seen documentaries.
      I’m happy you like the post, and thank you for this lovely comment!

      Reply

  10. Wow, Resa and Robbie! This post makes me feel as if I’ve had a guided tour of the Louvre! Redon’s painting here is very intriguing indeed; I love the colors and subtle suggestion in it, even though we don’t know what’s being discussed. All of these are amazing; what an honor to be able to share them with you! 🌸🕊️🌼

    Reply

    1. Thanks Tim!
      Robbie and I love all this old art, too.
      We have a lot of pics from our travels to the gallery… well me one gallery and Robbie many galleries.

      Point is, they can sit in photo files, or we can share. xx

      Reply

  13. nice collection 💫✨ʁɞşα✨💫

    liking the poppies one best mefinks. and the pre-raph one, of course.

    ⬻𓂀ღ☆∞♡ 🔺 𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓅𝓎 𝒻𝓇𝒾𝒹𝒶𝓎 🔺 ♡∞☆ღ𓂀⤖

    Reply

    1. Ahh, the Poppies.
      I quite like that one too, 𝓖𝓡𝓐𝓗𝓐𝓜. ✯✯✯✯✯

      The paint is really thick on that one, very 3d. It was so thick it shot sort of dark, especially with the low lighting and focused spots at the gallery.

      FRIDAY??? Yikes.
      ❦ ~~ ༻☆ 𝕿𝓗𝓐𝕹𝕶 𝖄𝕺𝖀 ☆༺ ~~ ❦

      Reply

  14. What a wonderful, joyful post, Resa and Robbie!! You have gathered an extraordinary collection!!! Thank you for the time you both spent searching, selecting and finding the connections that bring these paintings together. You traveled across so many centuries and artistic styles through something as seemingly simple as a gown. Berthe Morisot, Botticelli, Rembrandt, Waterhouse, and so many others. Each painting takes us into a very different world. I especially enjoyed discovering works and artists I have not encountered before. That is one of the great pleasures of art. There is always another painting waiting to be discovered, another story inviting us to look more closely. Thank you both for taking us on this remarkable journey through art.

    Reply

    1. It is a fab collection, now that you mention it, Rebecca.
      Memories are cool, but it seems these pics are something others would like to see. It makes taking the shots more worthwhile.

      Yes, there’s always another painting to discover, especially when one embarks on the journey through art later in life. (like moi)

      Thank you for coming by and enjoying the show, the wonderful comment, and the next post is a long time coming. I am a very excited.
      Hugs!

      Reply

  16. Like someone said above, it’s like visiting a virtual museum!! Thanks, Resa and Robbie for highlighting such stellar artists and for all the amazing research that was done (without AI, no less!)The ‘The Lady of Shalott‘ really speaks to me, but all of these art are stunning!!I missed going to the Musée d’Orsay while I was in Paris a decade ago, but there are so many amazing museums still to visit!

    ⊹₊˚‧꧁⎝ 𓆩✐⋆.🎨*:･ ✎ᝰ𓆪 ⎠꧂‧˚₊⊹

    Reply

    1. It’s true. We can travel to different times and places through art.

      I once thought of writing short stories… or long ones about a woman who would find interesting works of street art and get sucked into them… like Twilight Zone tales; only Street Art Zone tales.

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        1. Time constraints.
          I want to do many creative things all the time. I already wrote 2 books and 5 screenplays.

          Writing is mostly sedentary.
          Blogging is sedentary.
          Sewing is sedentary.
          Drawing is sedentary.
          I’ll turn into a Sedent. 😹

          The street art gets me up off my butt and going on adventures. LOTS (hours & hours) of walking. Like you going on a safari adventure, one needs to move about. It’s healthy.

          I can’t give up making my Art Gowns. They are my most satisfying endeavour.

          After blogging… there’s not much time left to do things in life like earn some $$, eat, housework, groom, sleep… lol…

          So it’s my fancy at the moment, at those points. Drawing is high on my list these days. Then I spend a lot of time participating in the Academy I belong to. If I lived in LA, I’d be VERY busy with that.

          Love being busy! (Like you!) xx

          Reply

          1. I understand completely. It’s the same for me. Painting, which I do standing and walking backwards and forwards to gauge effects is higher on my love list that novel writing. I write a lot of poetry and some short stories.

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  20. Funtastic presentation ladies. I especially loved the Waterhouse and Rembrandt stories and paintings. I find the figures in all those paintings fro that timeframe so expressionless though. Also, those huge dresses on a little girl made me feel sorry for the young girl. Imagine wearing all that equipment underneath layers of fabric over a hoop. Oye! I also loved the header Grange piece. Hugs to both. 💜💚🧡

    Reply

    1. Ohh Waterhouse!
      Our AGO owns that painting and it is enchanting and mesmerizing.
      Agree, as beautiful as gowns look, they were monsters to wear. Whatever the era, the underpinnings were cruel.

      Of course , anyone (male of female) can wear anything or nothing under my Art Gowns.

      I’m thrilled you like the header painting. I couldn’t resist flaunting our AGO’s history ….in a gown no less!
      ꧁ XO 🌹 XO ꧂

      Reply

        1. HA! The men (of those times) would have me tossed in a river with bricks ted to my ankles.

          Had I drowned they would have proclaimed me not a witch. Had I surfaced, they would have burned me at the stake for being a witch.
          💜💙😹😹💜💜

          Reply

  21. R & R – what a magnificent post. Like walking that beautiful museum and learning so much along the way. I especially adored Waterhouse’s choice of subjects.

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    1. Thank you Beth! Robbie has a nice collection of art, and was so great to share any art with a gown in it for this post.
      Waterhouse is a more recent discovery for me. His art really hit home when I saw this painting at the art gallery. It’s magic. His work puts a spell on me.

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  22. My favourite painting of this lovely collection is the one by Laura Muntz Lyall, of whom I was ignorant until I read this post. And regarding the Lady of Shalott, have you ever heard the song setting of that poem by Loreena McKennitt? It adds another dimension.

    The gowns in the sidebar are a feast for the eyes as well.

    Good work here, Resa and Robbie!

    Reply

    1. Hey Audrey,
      I never heard about L.M. Lyall either, until this painting. It is quite fetching in real life. I really pulls one into the poppies with this crazy thick texture It’s as though I could feel their fuzzy stems.

      Thank you about the gowns on the sidebar, Audrey! I made them all by hand, over the last dozen years. They are all made from recycled materials.
      I can’t thank Robbie enough for joining me here.
      Thank you so much for your visit! ꧁ 🌹 ꧂

      Reply

        1. Thank Robbie! And I just finished a new one, which I think I already mentioned to you. (for Rebecca) I’m going to send you a sneak peek. It’s been a year and a half since I posted an Art Gown! xx

          Reply

          1. Has it really been that long! We’ve shared a few over the last year so I have realised how the time was passing. You’ve created a few doll’s sized gowns which are also grand. I love the new gown. It is swish and sophisticated.

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            1. Time flies… I’m so excited about posting the new gown! I’ve been a bit bogged down with the Emmys, and 100’s of emails from being Fresh Pressed, but I’m almost caught up.
              XOXO

              Reply

    1. Yes they sure knew how to make gowns.
      The are so lovely to look at, but the underpinnings were cruel.
      Still, I like making my version of today gowns… no underpinnings necessary & all from recycled materials.

      Thank you so much for your comment, Thomas!

      Reply

  25. Wow! This is another stunning collection of masterpieces, beautifully presented with a feminine touch, even though they were worked on by masculine hands. Some of the artists are also quite famous in history.

    Thank you, dear Resa, alongside dear Robbie.

    🤙👍✌👏💖

    Reply

    1. Thank you dear Aladin!
      Yes, Robbie has seen some amazing art, and I am thrilled she takes pics of it! I know I can’t control myself around art, and I am bound to share it.
      ꧁ XO 🌹 XO ꧂

      Reply

    1. Yes, Jennie, I know what you mean. it can be mesmerizing, hypnotizing or some emotion/sense we can’t describe to look at a work of art that speaks to us.

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    1. Yay! Thank you Layla!
      Believe it or not, many have never beei=n to an Aert Gallery or a museum. So, I decided to bring one here for a post! ༻💜༺

      Reply

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