Lithograph, "Consulat. Année 1801"

Consulat. Année 1801

This image caricatures the dress of government officials during the period of the French Consulate. The Consulate was the Government of France from 1799 to 1804. The woman depicted is wearing a white gown characteristic of the Neoclassical style. The gown features a Greek key design at the bottom, which is similar to the design used in classical Greece. The gown has a high waistline, known as an “empire” waist, with short, puffed sleeves, and gold accents, which are all common in the neoclassical look. Her hair is done is done in the “a la grecque” style which was popular at the time, and she appears to be holding a fan. The image also displays her sandaled feet. As for the man depicted, he is dressed in the exaggerated “Incroyable” style. This can be seen by the extreme neckwear he is wearing, including a large cravat and very wide revers. His is the customary court dress of the time of a waistcoat and breeches. Finally, he is wearing black, flat, slip-on shoes, which were popular at the time.

References

Byrne, Janet S. "Fashion Plates." The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin 26.3 (1967): 141-50. JSTOR. Web.

Holland, Vyvyan B. Hand- Coloured Fashion Plates, 1770 to 1899. London: Batsford, 1955.

Ingham, E. (n.d.). Fashion plates introduction. National Portrait Gallery. Retrieved November 15, 2021, from https://www.npg.org.uk/research/fashionplates/fashion-plates-introduction.