16e Cahier, 10e Suite, Q.94
Gallerie des modes et costumes français. 16e Cahier des Costumes Français. 10e Suite d'Habillemens à la mode. Q.94
ca. 1778
Designed by Claude-Louis Desrais (French, Paris 1746–1816); 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
Mode à la française
Popular across Europe, the robe à la française (French-style dress), also known as the sack-back gown, features box pleats that fall loosely from the back shoulder to the floor with a train. This example is paired with a collapsible hood inspired by the ruffled collars worn by judges in the French parlement.
Inscription
English: "Young lady in a taffeta gown of any desired color trimmed with speckled gauze, and the white taffeta parlement [drawstring hood] trimmed with speckled blonde lace; a bonnet in the English style."
French: "Jeune Dame en robe de taffetas de couleur à volonté garnie de gaze mouchetée, le Parlement de taffetas blanc garni de blonde mouchetée; un Bonnet à l'Anglaise."