The colors of Fashionable Ladies
We finally watched this season’s Bridgerton last night and were fascinated by the masked ball, the tall topiaries of bonbons, truffles, and puffs, and the darker aesthetic of the nighttime celebration. Between scenes of pastel dresses and midnight blues, the contrast was striking as dancers moved across a dark floor that, to us, resembled the night sky. What a beautiful and magically dark night as a masked Mr. Bridgerton met his ‘Lady in Silver’. The show is a feast for the eyes as women were dressed in fashionable empire-waisted dresses, and even corseted lingerie.
Queen Charlotte’s mile-high hairstyles had us dreaming of fancy updos, and the amazing estates filled with beautifully manicured gardens made us wish for the snow outside to melt. Bridgerton is set in the Regency Era (1811-1820) in London. A period where the aristocracy is reflected in high fashion, and strict courting rules. Let’s compare nineteenth century Paris dress to London as represented through the art of french artist Henri Boutet:
Still dreaming of Bridgerton, we decided today would be the perfect time to explore the fine art of fashionable ladies through history — the colors that convey ultimate elegance and the ways those hues reflect personality, as captured by artists of the past.
The Lady in White, Viscountess Wimborne (1939)
Sir John Lavery (Irish, 1856 – 1941)
Not quite “Bridgerton” times this elegant, modern lady in white is contrasted by the beautiful red flowers and chair and is reminiscent of lead crystal vases, pearls, and satin. She’s a stunning beauty baring her bare back to us. Ever so elegant in her flowing dress, the background of this painting matches the color of her hair and isolates her as the main subject that deserves attention.
These glorious gardens that reflect the beauty in color that is found all around us:
the godmother’s garden (1875)
Marie-François Firmin-Girard
(French, 1838-1921)
The dark black bustle and lush purple contrasts with the white outfit of the little girl and the pretty flowers.
the flower wharf (1875)
Marie-François Firmin-Girard
(French, 1838-1921)
A fascinating scene of flowers and ladies captured in time.
The Kiss
Charles Sims (English, 1873-1928)
A sweet painting of a kiss enhanced by pink ruffles.
Sunday Afternoon
Marie-François Firmin-Girard (French, 1838-1921)
A skillful painting of a leisure activity - a woman dressed to the nines in a blue ruffled, adorned in lace and pleats. Highlighted with a gold damask wallpaper, velvet couch and an eclectic yet modern rug with fringe.
More fashionably dressed ladies
Which dress is your favorite and what colors would you love to wear today? There is something about being adorned in ruffles like a luscious cake that entices us to say we would love to be adorned in silk and satin while being surrounded by flowers.
Click on an image to enlarge and see the amazing details of each painting.
