41e Cahier, 36e Suite, XX.262

Fashion plate showing a woman in a white dress.

Gallerie des modes et costumes français. 41e Cahier de Costumes Français. 36e Suite d'Habillemens à la mode, en 1784. XX.262
ca. 1784
Designed by Pierre-Thomas Le Clerc (French, Paris 1740–1796); engraved by Nicholas Dupin (French, act. 1776–89)
Hand-colored engraving
Approx. 11 1/2 × 17 in. (29.2 × 43.2 cm)
Frick Art Research Library; Gift of Melinda Martin Sullivan, 2016
Image Frick Digital Studio

 

The Queen's Chemise
Chemise à la Reine (the queen's chemise) is a type of informal dress popularized by Marie Antoinette. The one-piece white muslin gown, worn in the summer for comfort and ease of movement, originated from the lightweight garments worn by European women and free women of color in the French Caribbean colonies, designed to withstand the tropical climate.

Inscription
English: "Chemise à la Reine seen from behind. This woman has a kerchief-mantle on her shoulders, she is wearing a flat hat topped with a feather, her hair is half made up with two ponytails, the belt is made of black velvet."

French: "Chemise à la Reine vue par derriere. Cette femme a sur les épaules un fichu-mantelet, elle est coëffé d'un chapeau plat surmonté d'une plume, les cheveux en négligé et deux catogans, la cinture est de velour noir."