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18th Century Pinks: the 1710s

Getting back to pink in the 18th century, we did 1700-1709, now let’s look at the 1710s.

Rather than going from palest to darkest, like I did in the last post, I thought I’d start off with a bang.

And by bang, I mean Barbie pink.  This post was written by Leimomi Oakes for thedreamstress.com.  If it is published somewhere else it has been stolen.

Maria Clementina is absolutely 1710s Barbie in this amazing mantua. (side note, the women in this post really do have the best names).

Francesco Trevisani, Portrait of Maria Clementina Sobieska, 1719

Francesco Trevisani, Portrait of Maria Clementina Sobieska, 1719

I’ve never been a bright pink wearer myself, but if I ever found the correct fabric I would LOVE to recreate Marie Clemantina’s ensemble.

Then we have Three Princess: The Barbie Movie:

Portrait of Archduchess Maria Magdalena of Austria (1689-1743), daughter of Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor by Johann Friedrich Ardin 1712

Portrait of Archduchess Maria Magdalena of Austria (1689-1743), daughter of Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor by Johann Friedrich Ardin 1712

Portrait of Maria Anna of Austria (1683-1754), daughter of Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor by Johann Friedrich Ardin, 1712

Portrait of Maria Anna of Austria (1683-1754), daughter of Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor by Johann Friedrich Ardin, 1712

Presumed portrait of Archduchess Maria Elisabeth of Austria (1680-1741), daughter of Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor by Johann Friedrich Ardin 1712

Presumed portrait of Archduchess Maria Elisabeth of Austria (1680-1741), daughter of Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor by Johann Friedrich Ardin, 1712

The three portraits are miniatures, which can exaggerate colours, so just to confirm that colour appears in other settings, here’s a significantly more muted portrait, except, that is, for Hedwig’s lining:

Jan Kupecký, Portrait of Hedwig Franciska Wussin (detail), 1716

Jan Kupecký, Portrait of Hedwig Franciska Wussin (detail), 1716

And why stick to just a lining when you could go for a whole dress?

Portrait of an unidentified woman, misidentified as Bayonne de Caupenne d'Amou Dame de Piis (1752-1830) Basque Museum in Bayone

Portrait of an unidentified woman, misidentified as Bayonne de Caupenne d’Amou Dame de Piis (1752-1830) Basque Museum in Bayone

Just in case you are wondering if the paintings are fiction, here’s some extant examples of that shade.  Have an eyeful of these:

Waistcoat, 1733–34, probably French, silk, metallic thread, Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1991.220

Waistcoat, 1733–34, probably French, silk, metallic thread, Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1991.220

Pair of women's mitts, probably Italian, 18th century. Blue silk trimmed with bright pink silk and embroidered with flowers, MFA Boston

Pair of women’s mitts, probably Italian, 18th century. Blue silk trimmed with bright pink silk and embroidered with flowers, MFA Boston

So, if you ever want to do early 18th century Barbie, the colour is 100% accurate!

To give your eyes a rest, lets look at a portrait with a pale pink dress,  and then a palest pink pair of shoes:

Madame Anna Potocki Palatine de Chiovie (Anna Leszczyńska (1699-1717) by Johan Starbus 1712

Madame Anna Potocki Palatine de Chiovie (Anna Leszczyńska (1699-1717) by Johan Starbus 1712

http://www.artuk.org/artworks/the-honourable-mary-mansel-mrs-john-ivory-talbot-101000

Michael Dahl I, The Honourable Mary Mansel, Mrs John Ivory Talbot; National Trust, Lacock Abbey, Fox Talbot Museum and Village

Shoes, England, circa 1700-1715, silver lace, metal sequins, leather, silk satin, M.64.85.7a-b, LACMA

Shoes, England, circa 1700-1715, silver lace, metal sequins, leather, silk satin, M.64.85.7a-b, LACMA

And muted rose pink.  I absolutely adore the gold green and pink bizarre silk of Elisabeth-Charlotte’s gown:

Workshop of Pierre Gobert (1662–1744), Elisabeth-Charlotte d'Orléans, Duchess of Lorraine, c 1710

Workshop of Pierre Gobert (1662–1744), Elisabeth-Charlotte d’Orléans, Duchess of Lorraine, c 1710

And this length of silver and multicoloured, including peach pink, bizarre silk:

Fabric, Italy, Venice, 1712-1731, Silk damask with silk and metallic thread supplementary-weft patterning bound in twill, LACMA M.67.87.2

Fabric, Italy, Venice, 1712-1731, Silk damask with silk and metallic thread supplementary-weft patterning bound in twill, LACMA M.67.87.

Here are a couple more items that have pinks that are closer to Elisabeth-Charlotte’s

Gaming purse, 1690–1710, French, silk-linen Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art 2009.300.2075

Gaming purse, 1690–1710, French, silk-linen Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art 2009.300.2075

Apron, early 18th century, British, silk, metal, Purchase, Irene Lewisohn Bequest, 1960 Metropolitan Museum of Art, C.I.60.26.4

Apron, early 18th century, British, silk, metal, Purchase, Irene Lewisohn Bequest, 1960 Metropolitan Museum of Art, C.I.60.26.4

Apron, early 18th century, British, silk, metal, Purchase, Irene Lewisohn Bequest, 1960 Metropolitan Museum of Art, C.I.60.26.4

Apron, early 18th century, British, silk, metal, Purchase, Irene Lewisohn Bequest, 1960 Metropolitan Museum of Art, C.I.60.26.4

I also adore Polish noblewoman Emercjanna’s smart riding habit with waistcoat of bizarre silk, all topped with a crisp pink bow with pinked edges:

Portrait of Emercjanna Pociej née Warszycka Attributed to Ádám Mányoki, 1719-20

Portrait of Emercjanna Pociej née Warszycka Attributed to Ádám Mányoki, 1719-20

Speaking of pinking, the ribbon on these gloves is pinked pink:

Pair of gloves, Italian, 18th century, Milan, Italy, bobbin lace, Museum of Fine Arts Boston, 38.1274a-b

Pair of gloves, Italian, 18th century, Milan, Italy, bobbin lace, Museum of Fine Arts Boston, 38.1274a-b

As the only other similar lace gloves I am aware of are dated to the 2nd half of the 17th century, it’s plausible this pair is early 18th century.  It’s entirely possible the silk ribbon has been replaced, as using fully pinked fabric as a ribbon is quite unusual.

Just in case, here’s another extant example of that pink:

Stomacher, 1700-1730, Cream linen embroidered with coloured silks, Manchester Art Gallery, 1957_455

Stomacher, 1700-1730, Cream linen embroidered with coloured silks, Manchester Art Gallery, 1957_455

We could call this stomacher the pinkest pink, as the central flower is a clove pink, better known as a carnation.  Carnations, and the entire dianthus family are known as pinks.  They their name to the colour pink, and either gave their name to or took their name from the scalloped or zig-zag edge finish known as pinking (like the ribbon above), due to the zig-zagged edges of their petals.

Here’s a young boy in a shade that really is exactly what you think of when you think pink: This post was written by Leimomi Oakes for thedreamstress.com.  If it is published somewhere else it has been stolen.

Geoffrey Kneller, The Chandos Family, 1713

Geoffrey Kneller, The Chandos Family, 1713

And on a young woman, beautifully accented with silver (the portrait is probably  15 years earlier than the date given, but we’ll leave it for now)

Portrait of a lady in a pink embroidered dress Circle of Nicolas de Largillière (1656–1746)

Portrait of a lady in a pink embroidered dress Circle of Nicolas de Largillière (1656–1746), ca 1715

And on an older woman.  Pink for all ages!

Anton Paulsen, Barbara Lutken, Hamburger Kunsthalle 1710s

Anton Paulsen, Barbara Lutken, Hamburger Kunsthalle 1710s

And some pink-trimmed accessories to go with their pinks:

Pair of infant's mitts, Italian, 18th century, Museum of Fine Arts Boston, 38.1244a-b

Pair of infant’s mitts, Italian, 18th century, Museum of Fine Arts Boston, 38.1244a-b

Shoes & Pattens, 1710-1730, Pattens made from green brocade lined cream wool. Ribbon replaced May 1963, 1947_1056

Shoes & Pattens, 1710-1730, Pattens made from green brocade lined cream wool. Ribbon replaced May 1963, Manchester Art Gallery, 1947_1056

Apron, 18th century, European Medium- silk, Purchase, Irene Lewisohn Bequest, 1971, Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1971.242.6

Apron, 18th century, European Medium- silk, Purchase, Irene Lewisohn Bequest, 1971, Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1971.242.6

There’s no specific date given for this apron, but the vertical pocket slits are consistent with late 17th and early 18th century fashions.

Apron, 18th century, European Medium- silk, Purchase, Irene Lewisohn Bequest, 1971, Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1971.242.6

Apron, 18th century, European Medium- silk, Purchase, Irene Lewisohn Bequest, 1971, Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1971.242.6

Here’s another boy in classic pink:

Portrait of Charles Carroll of Annapolis (1702-1782) by Julius Engelhardt Kühn, 1712

Portrait of Charles Carroll of Annapolis (1702-1782) by Julius Engelhardt Kühn, 1712

And a waistcoat with two shades of pink, a light one like the suit above, and a dark rasberry hue:

Waistcoat 1710-30, silk, wool, linen, silver, https-::museumrotterdam.nl:collectie:item:71443

Waistcoat 1710-30, silk, wool, linen, silver, https-::museumrotterdam.nl:collectie:item:71443

Numerous portraits of the young Louis XV show him in pink.  This one I suspect is related to a specific ceremonial costume or order.

Jean Ranc, Portrait of Louis XV of France (1710-1774), 1718

Jean Ranc, Portrait of Louis XV of France (1710-1774), 1718

Apron, American (New England) 18th century, Silk with silk and gold metal embroidery and silk ribbon, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 46.312

Apron, American (New England) 18th century, Silk with silk and gold metal embroidery and silk ribbon, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 46.312

Brocade fragment French 18th century 96.397

Brocade fragment, French, 18th century MFA Boston, 96.397

Moving on to another Louis X portrait, this one has him in salmon satin:

Pierre Gobert, Louis XV as child, Fundación Jakober 1712

Pierre Gobert, Louis XV as child, Fundación Jakober 1712

And here’s an apron with both the rose of his older portrait, and the salmon of his baby look:

Apron, probably French, 18th century Silk figured weave with silk and silver metal embroidery, MFA Boston 41.538

Apron, probably French, 18th century Silk figured weave with silk and silver metal embroidery, MFA Boston 41.538

There are salmon and pink shades galore in this portrait:

Portrait of a woman, possibly Marie Louise Élisabeth d'Orléans (1695-1719), wife of Charles of France, Duke of Berry (1686-1714), Pierre Gobert 1713

Portrait of a woman, possibly Marie Louise Élisabeth d’Orléans (1695-1719), wife of Charles of France, Duke of Berry (1686-1714), Pierre Gobert 1713

And here’s some silk from the same era with brocaded flowers in a range of salmon hues.

Textile, England, Spitalfields, Early 18th century, Silk satin with silk supplementary-weft patterning LACMA M.82.5

Textile, England, Spitalfields, Early 18th century, Silk satin with silk supplementary-weft patterning LACMA M.82.5

More orange-y pinks appear in these portraits:

Rosalba Carriera - Self-Portrait Holding a Portrait of Her Sister, 1715, Uffizi Gallery

Rosalba Carriera – Self-Portrait Holding a Portrait of Her Sister, 1715, Uffizi Gallery

Johan Starbus, Anna Leszczynska, 1712

Johan Starbus, Anna Leszczynska, 1712

And on this striking bodice:

Bodice, early 18th century

Bodice, early 18th century

And these sweet knitted mitts:

Mitt, Italian, 18th century, Museum of Fine Arts Boston, 38.1234

Mitt, Italian, 18th century, silk, Museum of Fine Arts Boston, 38.1234

And Salmon verges on deep rose in these portraits:

Jean-Ranc, Portrait of Renee Tranchant du Trait as Diane, 1714

Jean-Ranc, Portrait of Renee Tranchant du Trait as Diane, 1714

Attributed to Godfrey Kneller (1646–1723), Josiah Bacon, ca 1710

Attributed to Godfrey Kneller (1646–1723), Josiah Bacon, ca 1710

And salmon and deep rose, along with red, becomes roses on this waistcoat:

Waistcoat, early 18th century, British, linen, silk, metallic thread, Metropolitan Museum of Art, 45.49

Waistcoat, early 18th century, British, linen, silk, metallic thread, Metropolitan Museum of Art, 45.49

Waistcoat, early 18th century, British, linen, silk, metallic thread, Metropolitan Museum of Art, 45.49

Waistcoat, early 18th century, British, linen, silk, metallic thread, Metropolitan Museum of Art, 45.49

 

Marie-Anne de Chateauneuf after Nicolas de Largilliere, 1712

Marie-Anne de Chateauneuf after Nicolas de Largilliere, 1712

Mme. Titon de Cogny Nicolas de Largillière 1713

Mme. Titon de Cogny Nicolas de Largillière 1713

Apron (France), early 18th century, silk with silk embroidery, Cooper Hewitt Design Museum 18386995

Apron (France), early 18th century, silk with silk embroidery, Cooper Hewitt Design Museum 18386995

Look at these glorious rose shades:

Hyacinthe Rigaud, Portrait de Madame de La Vieuville, comtesse de Parabère 1711-12

Hyacinthe Rigaud, Portrait de Madame de La Vieuville, comtesse de Parabère 1711-12

Portrait of a woman with a medallion, Attributed to Alexis-Simon Belle ca 1717

Portrait of a woman with a medallion, Attributed to Alexis-Simon Belle ca 1717

Lancelot Volders, Marie Louise of Hesse-Kassel with her sisters-in-law 1709

Lancelot Volders, Marie Louise of Hesse-Kassel with her sisters-in-law 1709

Stomacher, 1700-1720, Cream satin over canvas, embroidered in coloured silks, backed with cream silk., Manchester Art Gallery 1955_174

Stomacher, 1700-1720, Cream satin over canvas, embroidered in coloured silks, backed with cream silk., Manchester Art Gallery 1955_174

The colours in this portrait seem a little over-saturated and yellow tinted, so I suspect the actual colour is more like the waistcoat pocket below.

Portrait of an unknown Lady , misidentified with Adrienne Lecouvreur (1692-1730). Attributed to Alexis Simon Belle ca 1710

Portrait of an unknown Lady , misidentified with Adrienne Lecouvreur (1692-1730). Attributed to Alexis Simon Belle ca 1710

Right front skirt of man's waistcoat, First half of the 18th c, MFA Boston, 41.890

Right front skirt of man’s waistcoat, First half of the 18th c, MFA Boston, 41.890

Frans van Stampart (1675–1750) wikidata-Q5493032 Title Portrait of Anton III. Graf von Montfort (1670-1733), 1709 Salzburg Museum

Frans van Stampart (1675–1750) wikidata-Q5493032 Title Portrait of Anton III. Graf von Montfort (1670-1733), 1709 Salzburg Museum

Michael Dahl I, Portrait of Arthur Vansittart (1691-1760); 1718, National Trust, Lyme Park; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/arthur-vansittart-16911760-132554

Dress fabric of brocaded silk damask in silver-gilt thread, Italy, ca. 1700 VAM

Dress fabric of brocaded silk damask in silver-gilt thread, Italy, ca. 1700 VAM

Finally, to finish I’ll continue my tradition of finding an incredibly cute kid portrait with pink for the decade.

Here we have something you can throw on the Barbie.  A baby princess dressed as a shrimp:

Portrait of a Young Princess Lorraine, Presumably a daughter of Leopold, Duke of Lorraine

Portrait of a Young Princess Lorraine, Presumably a daughter of Leopold, Duke of Lorraine, possibly Marie Gabrièle, (1702-1711), Josepha Gabrièle (1705-1708), Gabrièle Louis (1706-1710), Elisabeth Therese (1711-1741) or Anne Charlotte (1714-1773).  Most likely Anne Charlotte based on a painting of Elisabeth Therese that may be a companion to this.  Painting possibly by Pierre Gobert.

This post was written by Leimomi Oakes for thedreamstress.com.  If it is published somewhere else it has been stolen.

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Happy shopping, happy sewing!

Hungarian Dress in the 19th and early 20th centuries

Continuing on my image based research on Hungarian court dress inspired by the Rate the Dress post of Alexandra Pavlovna in Hungarian dress  let’s look at portraits of women in formal Hungarian dress in the 19th and early 20th century to see how a general use of specific style elements became codified as díszmagyar: the formal court dress of Hungary under the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

(please note, this is intended as a general introduction to people not familiar with Austro-Hungarian history and politics, not a masters thesis on the subject!  I’ve tried to be as accurate as possible without writing 17,000 words).

Hungarian Court Dress in the early 19th Century

Alexandra Pavlovna died in 1801, and the next portrait example I could find of a woman wearing Hungarian inspired clothes was actually on her successor: Princess Hermine of Anhalt-Bernburg-Schaumburg-Hoym.

Hermine (because I am not typing that lot again!) was only four years old when Alexandra Pavlovna dies, and only 18 when she married Archduke Joseph in 1815.  She died only two years later after giving birth to fraternal twins, both of whom survived.

One of her few portraits shows her in Hungarian dress adapted for the extremely high waisted fashions of 1815, with the tiniest lacing effect on her brief bodice, and short puffed sleeves topped with ruffles.  A double strand of pearls nods to their traditional use while keeping with the pared back classically inspired aesthetic.

Princess Hermine of Anhalt-Bernburg-Schaumburg-Hoym 1797-1817, second wife of Archduke Joseph Palatine of Hungary 1776-1847, ca 1814

Princess Hermine of Anhalt-Bernburg-Schaumburg-Hoym (1797-1817), second wife of Archduke Joseph Palatine of Hungary (1776-1847), ca 1815

Archduke Joseph married for the third and last time only two years after Hermine’s death, choosing her cousin Maria Dorothea.  Maria’s confirmed take on Hungarian dress takes advantage of the lowered waists of the 1820s for a more defined faux lacing made of pearls.  More pearls decorate the headpiece her veil falls from.

Interesingly both Hermine and Maria Dorothea have sleeves that match their bodice, rather than contrasting sleeves.

Maria Dorothea Prinzessin von Württemberg (1797-1855), Erzherzogin, Ehefrau von Erzherzog Joseph, Palatin von Ungarn, ca 1820

Maria Dorothea, Princess of Württemberg (1797-1855), third wife of Archduke Joseph, Palatine of Hungary, ca 1820

Another portrait which may also be Maria Dorothea shows a lacing effect dripping in precious stones, a headpiece and veil topped with a very sparkly tiara, and a return to chemise effect sleeves.

Portrait, possibly of Duchess Maria Dorothea of Württemberg (1797-1855), wife of Archduke Joseph, Palatine of Hungary (1776-1847)

Portrait, possibly of Duchess Maria Dorothea of Württemberg (1797-1855), third wife of Archduke Joseph, Palatine of Hungary (1776-1847)

Other portraits of the 1820s show the different ways in which traditional Hungarian elements were modified to fit the fashions of the time, to create something that was both a la mode and a la nation.

Note the apron tied at the high waist here:

Portrait of a woman in Hungarian court dress, 1825, Donát

Portrait of a woman in Hungarian court dress, 1825, János Donát (1744–1830), Hungarian National Gallery

And the pointed waist and longer sleeves here, with multi-strand pearl necklaces.

Countess Julianna Festetics de Tolna (1753–1824), wife of Count Ferenc Széchényi de Sárvár and Felsővidék in Hungarian court gown, 1820s

Countess Julianna Festetics de Tolna (1753–1824), wife of Count Ferenc Széchényi de Sárvár and Felsővidék in Hungarian court gown, 1820s

Note the veils worn in the portraits above and almost all the following portraits.  The earliest example I have found is in the two ca 1790 portraits of Walburga Csáky shown in the previous post.  They appear in almost all portraits of women in formal Hungarian dress in the 19th century.

While this dress is missing the accessories like the veil, it does show many of the iconic elements, how they could be adapted to fit the fashions of a particular era, and the importance and role of such dresses as heirlooms that might be re-used across generations:

Hungarian dressFirst half of the 19th century. Silk, metal fiber fabric. Katalin Jezerniczky wore this to the coronation of Ferdinand V in 1835-7. It may have been made earlier than that date, and was also altered later in the 1840s.

Hungarian dress First half of the 19th century. Silk, metal fiber fabric. Katalin Jezerniczky wore this to the coronation of Ferdinand V in 1835-7. It may have been made earlier than that date, and was also altered later in the 1840s.

After the death of the Archduke Josephine, the Emperor of Austria took over as King of Hungary.   His wife, Maria Anna of Savoy, thus had herself painted as Queen of Hungary at least twice.

Maria Anna of Savoy (1803-1884), empress of Austria, queen of Hungary and Bohemia, wife of Ferdinand I of Austria (i.e of King Ferdinand V of Hungary).1835

Maria Anna of Savoy (1803-1884), empress of Austria, queen of Hungary and Bohemia, wife of Ferdinand I of Austria (i.e of King Ferdinand V of Hungary).1835

Her outfits are iconically 1830s meets Hungarian style: the crown and headdress built up to support the vertical loops of hair fashionable in the 1830s, and the puffed sleeves made ever more elaborate.  There is a distinct note of historicism in her attire.

Maria Anna of Sardinia 1803-84 by Caspar Jele, 1836

Maria Anna of Sardinia 1803-84 by Caspar Jele, 1836

Hungarian Court Dress in the Mid 19th Century

In 1848 the new Austrian Emperor, Franz Joseph I revoked a set of laws which had guaranteed Hungarian’s more rights.  The result?  The failed Hungarian Revolution of 1848-9.  While the Revolution failed, it saw a rise in Hungarian (specifically Magyar) nationalism, and thus a rise of portraits celebrating Hungarian identity.

Soma Orlai Petrich, Portrait of Róza Laborfalvi, 1840s

Soma Orlai Petrich, Portrait of Róza Laborfalvi, 1840s

This one is particularly interesting, because it shows a Hungarian actress in the role of a 15th century Hungarian Queen.  Her costume blends elements of Hungarian national dress that would be recognisable to a modern audience, and theatrical historicism.

Mrs. Schodel in the Role of Elisabeth Szilágyi (1852), Miklós Barabás

Mrs. Schodel in the Role of Elisabeth Szilágyi (1852), Miklós Barabás

The subject of this one doesn’t just wear the dress: she’s also sporting the distinctive fur cloak of masculine Magyar dress.

Károly Telepy - E. Csorba Csilla- Jókai Mór és a háromlábú szörnyeteg 1858

Károly Telepy – E. Csorba Csilla- Jókai Mór és a háromlábú szörnyeteg 1858

There are even examples of wedding dresses in Hungarian style:

Mrs. György Bencsik, née Klaudia Ürményi de Ürmény (1833–1862), Hungarian noblewoman as a bride. Alajos Györgyi Giergl, 1859

Mrs. György Bencsik, née Klaudia Ürményi de Ürmény (1833–1862), Hungarian noblewoman as a bride. Alajos Györgyi Giergl, 1859

Along with many examples of court style meets 1860s style:

Portrait of Baroness Kata Radák, 1860s, Miklós Barabás

Portrait of Baroness Kata Radák, 1860s, Miklós Barabás

Portrait of a noble Lady, Miklós Barabás, ca 1860

Portrait of a noble Lady, Miklós Barabás, ca 1860

Hollósy Kornélia de Gertenyes (1827–1890), Hungarian opera singer, Mihály Kovács, 1860s

Hollósy Kornélia de Gertenyes (1827–1890), Hungarian opera singer, Mihály Kovács, ca 1860

Mihaily Munkácsy, Reök Irén, 1864

Mihaily Munkácsy, Portrait of Reök Irén, 1864

Portrait of Reök Lujza by Munkácsy Mihály 1864

Portrait of Reök Lujza by Munkácsy Mihály 1864

Empress Elizabeth’s Famous Hungarian Coronation Gown

After 18 years of Austrian absolute rule and military dictatorship in Hungary following the Revolution, a political compromise in 1867 created the Austro-Hungarian Empire, with two sovereign states (Austria and Hungary) ruled by one ruler – Franz Joseph.

Franz Joseph’s wife, is of course, the (in)famous Sisi, noted Hungariaphile (is that a word?  Can that be a word?), who championed both more independence for Hungary, and wore what is probably the most iconic example of a Hungarian court dress for her coronation as Queen of Hungary.

Queen Elisabeth of Hungary and Bohemia, Empress of Austria (1837–1898), née Duchess in Bavaria in Hungarian coronation robes. Alexander von Wagner 1867

Queen Elisabeth of Hungary and Bohemia, Empress of Austria (1837–1898), née Duchess in Bavaria in Hungarian coronation robes. Alexander von Wagner 1867

It’s got it all.  Puffed sleeves, pearls, perky bows, a trailing veil, faux lacing, a train…

Portrait of Empress Elisabeth of Austria (1837-1898) 1860s

Empress Elisabeth of Austria in Hungarian Coronation Dress

Empress Elisabeth of Austria in Hungarian Coronation Dress

It should be noted that while the fight for Hungarian recognition, and particularly Sisi’s part in it, is often romanticised as ‘brave little nation fighting for their rights against the big bad Austrian Empire’.  The reality, as it so often is in politics, is more complicated.  The real truth is more like ‘Elitist aristocracy of a brave little nation fighting for their own personal right to oppress their own people’.

Only 8% of the people in Hungary received suffrage with the 1867 Compromise.  Austria suggested the Compromise because the Empire was on the brink of economic and political collapse after the Austro-Prussian war, and needed all the support they could get.  The alliance was maintained only through gerrymandering, where pro-Austrian areas of Hungary were given a disproportionate amount of votes.  For many (possibly most) Hungarians the Compromise was seen as a few elites selling out Hungary for personal gain.

Other examples of Empress Elizabeth’s in Hungarian Dress

Although Sisi’s 1867 Coronation gown is the most famous, it’s not the only example of her in Hungarian Court dress.  Here’s are two portraits from shortly after marriage to Franz Joseph:

Franz Russ the Elder, Empress Elisabeth of Austria, 1850

Franz Russ the Elder, Empress Elisabeth of Austria, 1855-60

Porträt der jungen Kaiserin Elisabeth, Lithographie von F. Wolf 1855

Porträt der jungen Kaiserin Elisabeth, Lithographie von F. Wolf 1855

And then a posthumous portrait in mourning dress (for herself?).

Empress Elisabeth of Austria, Queen of Hungary and Bohemia in mourning, wearing traditional Hungarian court dress. The painting was made after the Queen's death by Philip Alexius de László 1899

Empress Elisabeth of Austria, Queen of Hungary and Bohemia in mourning, wearing traditional Hungarian court dress. The painting was made after the Queen’s death by Philip Alexius de László 1899

Hungarian Court Dress in the Late 19th & Early 20th Century

The Compromise of 1867 meant there were many opportunities for formal Hungarian inspired court attire in last quarter of the 19th century and first quarter of the 20th, before WWI ended the Empire.

Here’s a regal example where the Magyar jacket has become an ermine-trimmed court mantle:

Clotilde - Countess Palatine of Hungary (nee Princess of Saxe-Coburg Gotha Kohary) György Vastagh - Hungarian National Museum, Budapest 1880

Clotilde – Countess Palatine of Hungary (nee Princess of Saxe-Coburg Gotha Kohary) György Vastagh – Hungarian National Museum, Budapest 1880

And Sisi’s maid of honour in Hungarian court dress meets 1890s style, heavily influenced by Sisi’s coronation gown:

Ida Ferenczy de Vecseszék (1839–1928), maid of honour to Empress and Queen Elisabeth of Austria-Hungary in traditional Hungarian court gown 1896

Ida Ferenczy de Vecseszék (1839–1928), maid of honour to Empress and Queen Elisabeth of Austria-Hungary in traditional Hungarian court gown 1896

Ida Ferenczy de Vecseszék (1839–1928), maid of honour to Empress and Queen Elisabeth of Austria-Hungary in traditional Hungarian court gown 1896

Ida Ferenczy de Vecseszék (1839–1928), maid of honour to Empress and Queen Elisabeth of Austria-Hungary in traditional Hungarian court gown 1896

And here are a couple of examples of extant court dress, one more traditional, one showing a blend of eras, as it was worn and changed many times.

Hungarian Court dress at the National Museum

Hungarian Court dress at the National Museum

ourt dress worn by Rhédey family, inc 1916 coronation of Charles IV of Hungary silk & lampas silk, silver-lamella emb, gold-silver lampas ribbons and emb silk tulle. Oldest parts ca 1750. Court dress worn by Rhédey family, inc 1916 coronation of Charles IV of Hungary silk & lampas silk, silver-lamella emb, gold-silver lampas ribbons and emb silk tulle. Oldest parts ca 1750, owned by Dr. László Baján, shown at the Royal Palace of Gödöllő

Court dress worn by multiple generations of of the Rhédey family, including to the 1916 coronation of Charles IV of Hungary.   Silk & lampas silk, silver-lamella embroidery, gold-silver lampas ribbons and embroidered silk tulle. The dress has been altered and updated multiple times, the oldest parts of the dress are ca 1750. Owned by Dr. László Baján, shown at the Royal Palace of Gödöllő

Hungarian Folk Dress vs Hungarian Court Dress

Finally, let’s take a quick look at what ‘folk’ dress looked like, compared to formal court attire:

This one is very similar, just worn with a jacket, and here sleeves are not visible:

Vígan tántzoló Magyarok, J. Heinbucher, színezett rézmetszet, 1816

And these examples show the clear stylistic link between the two, and the way that folk costume became fossilized as a specific look, with only minor changes to reflect global fashions, while Court dress followed the trends much more closely:

Eger vidéki lakosok népviselete Hungarian Folk Costume 1830

Eger vidéki lakosok népviselete Hungarian Folk Costume 1830

Traditional clothes in Hont County , 1906

Traditional clothes in Hont County , 1906