The Resplendent Outfit

Women's fashion history from roughly the 17th to 20th centuries. I combine art history and fashion photography with painted portraits of fashionable women, to tell the story of dress. My other Art History Blogs: @pagansphinxartblog @larobeblanche @thepaintedroom @artofthestilllife @sassafrasandmoonshine @thecanvasmirror

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Beaded Antique Purse Show

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1950s Bathing Beauties

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Illustration to Dress Match-up

Elsa Schiaparelli (Italian, 1890 - 1973) • Evening Dress • 1939 • The Philadelphia Museum of Art

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A Selection of 1920s Fashion Plates

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Robert Henri's Exquisitely Dressed Spanish Dancers

Robert Henri (American, 1865 - 1949)

Spanish Girl of Madrid • 1908

La Raina Mora • 1906

Spanish Dancing Girl • 1904

Spanish Dancer • 1904

Betalo (The Dancer) • 1910

El Tango • 1908

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1930s Summer Dresses

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Costume Party

A new feature where I share a unique costume or two from across the historic timeline. Who knows, perhaps one will inspire your next party get-up.

Nigel Ellacott (British/Scottish, 1953-2024) was one of the United Kingdom’s foremost pantomime dames, panto historian, writer, costume designer.

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1920s Portrait Beauties

Archibald George Barnes (British, 1887–1972) • The purple cloche • 1920s

David Jagger (British/English, 1891 - 1958) • Portrait of Vivien St. George • 1928

Frances Cranmer Greenman (American, 1890 - 1981) • Self Portrait • 1923 • Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.

Julius Rolshoven (American, 1858-1930) • 1929

Howard Chandler Christy (American, 1872-1952) • Female Portrait • 1922

Ellen Barbara Segner (American, 1901 - 2001) • Portrait of a Seated Art Deco Woman • 1920s

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Feminine & Flowery in the 1930s

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Painting to Dress Match-up

Franz Russ the Elder (Austrian, 1817–1892) • Kaiserin Elisabeth von Österreich (Princess Elisabeth of Austria) • 19th century

Dress re-creation

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Portraits in Green

Richard von Marientreu (British, 1902-1991) Portrait of a Lady in a Green Dress • 1930

David Jagger (British, 1891-1958) • An Elegant Lady • 1920

Félix Edouard Vallotton (Swiss, 1865 - 1925) • Portrait of Aïcha Goblet • 1922

Richard E. Miller (American, 1875–1943) • Miss V. in Green • 1915

Clément Serveau (French, 1886 - 1972) • La Chemise verte • Unknown date

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More 1920s Portrait Beauties

Philip de László (Hungarian, 1869 - 1937 ) • Mercedes Santamarina Gastañaga • 1921

F. Edwin Church (American, 1876-1975) Lady in Charlotte's Dress • c. 1928

Archibald Motley Jr. (American, 1891 -1981) • The Octoroon Girl • 1920s

Georges van Zevenberghen (Belgian, 1877 - 1968) • Le Manet • 1922

Howard Somerville (British, 1873–1952) • Miss Nora Baring • 1920s

Louis Ginnett (British, 1875–1946) Jacinta • 1925

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Painting to Dress Match-up

William Dargie (Australian, 1912-2003) • Portrait of Dinah Krongold • c. 1950

Beaded velvet and satin evening gown • Emilio Schuberth, designer, Rome • c. 1950

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A Collection of Antique Beaded Purses

I've been collecting images of beaded purses that are truly works of art. I unfortunately can't identify them according to their respective fashion era. Still, I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

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Portraits of Pauline

Herbert James Gunn (British/Scottish, 1893 - 1964)

James Gunn was one of Great Britain's foremost portraitists, painting many society portraits as well as those of officials and dignitaries. His most ubiquitous and beloved subject, however, was his wife, Pauline. Gunn rendered the beautiful Pauline many times, capturing her elegance and her fashionable wardrobe.

Pauline in the Yellow Dress • 1947

Pauline Waiting • 1939

Right: Pauline in McLeod Tartan • 1946

Left: My Wife, Pauline • c. 1933

Pauline, the Artist's Wife • c. 1930

Pauline in Paris • 1936

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British Painter Doris Zinkeisen's Elegant Women (Including Herself)

Doris Zinkeisen (British, 1898 -1991) • Self-Portrait • 1929

Portrait of Mrs Irwin Buxton in a silver dress • 1930

Portrait of Mrs. Sanders Watney • 1937

Portrait of a Woman at the Opera • Unknown date

Portrait of Miss Harold Taylor • 1933

Portrait of Consuela Kennedy in an Evening Dress • 1937

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Bernard Boutet de Monvel's Stylish Women

(French, 1881–1949)

Delphine Boutet de Monvel, the artist's wife

Portrait der Sylvie Boutet de Monvel (the artist's daughter) • 1941

Right: Elizabeth Goodspeed • 1933

Left: Duchess de Brissac en robe du soir • 1945

Right: Portrait of a Lady in a Red Armchair • 1930s or 40s

Left: Madame Pierre Champin • 1937

Sylvie Boutet de Monvel (the artist's daughter) • 1931