Fashion and Elegance: Strolling Parisians

Pierre François Courtois (mentioned on object), 1746 - 1755

During the early 18th century small series of costume plates reported on the fashion of the day. Women wore the loose-fitting robe volante, also called a ‘sack-backed gown’ in English, over which women sometimes added a short, hooded cloak known as a bagnolette. Men dressed in long coats over a waistcoat and knee-breeches. Pig-tail wigs were adorned with large bows, and tricorne hats were tucked under the arm rather than worn on the head. The two large prints from around 1760 show Parisians out for a stroll. Curiously, the women wear wide paniers (hoop skirts) for their promenade on the ramparts. In the caption underneath, they are condemned as silly slaves of fashion who blindly follow the dictates of the latest trends.

  • Artwork typekostuumprent
  • Object numberRP-P-OB-42.960
  • Dimensionsheight 288 mm x width 385 mm

Identification

  • Title(s)

    Fashion and Elegance: Strolling Parisians

  • Object type

  • Object number

    RP-P-OB-42.960

  • Description

    Elegant gezelschap op een stadsplein in Parijs waar 'tout Paris' zich, gekleed volgens de laatste mode, laat bewonderen. De dames en heren zijn gekleed volgens de Franse mode van ca. 1760. Met onderschrift waarin deze elegantie wordt bespot. Links een straattoneel. Het publiek dat zich hiermee vermaakt, behoort tot een andere bevolkingsgroep.

  • Inscriptions / marks

    • signature: ‘P.F. Courtois scul.’
    • collector's mark: Lugt 2228
    • signature: ‘Aug. de St. Aubin inv. et del.’
    • caption: ‘Si ces nouveaux Portraits, Enfans nés du caprice, / Du vulgaire aveugle pouvoient rompre l'erreur; / On ne le verroit pas vil esclave du vice, / Condamner en autrui les défauts de son coeur; / Mais pourqoui le blamer; la mode autorise; / Quand avec tout Paris il admire ces Foues, / Et de les imiter qu'il paroit si jaloux, / L'insensé ne voit pas qu'il fait une sottise.’
    • title: ‘Tableau des Portraits à la Mode’
    • address: ‘A Paris, ches la Vve de F. Chereau, rue St. Jacques aux deux Piliers d' or.’
  • Catalogue reference

    IFF 18e siècle 2-2(2)


Creation

  • Creation

    • printmaker: Pierre François Courtois (mentioned on object)
    • after drawing by Augustin de Saint-Aubin (mentioned on object)
    • publisher: weduwe François Chéreau (I) (mentioned on object), Paris
  • Dating

    1746 - 1755

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Material and technique

  • Dimensions

    height 288 mm x width 385 mm


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