Historical Sew Fortnightly
Published on March 2, 2014

The HSF ’14: Challenge #10: Art

written by The Dreamstress

The 10th Historical Sew Fortnightly Challenge of 2014, due Sunday the 1st of June, is Art.  Art is simple: make something inspired by a work of art.

With the Historical Sew Fortnightly Challenges I generally just post the theme, some inspiration, and hope that people will figure the rest out on their own, and if they want to be a bit creative with interpreting the theme, that’s fine, as long as they can explain why their item fits.  But I’ve received a lot of questions about art, and what does and doesn’t qualify, so I’ll elucidate a bit more.

Your artistic inspiration can be a painting:

Jan Frans van Douven, Anna Maria Luisa de’ Medici dancing with her husband Johann Wilhelm, Elector Palatine (1695)

Jan Frans van Douven, Anna Maria Luisa de’ Medici dancing with her husband Johann Wilhelm, Elector Palatine (1695)

Or a sculpture:

19th century ceramic reproduction of an ancient Greek statue

Or a sketch:

Sketch by Watteau

Sketch by Watteau

Or an etching:

 

Or a fresco:

Pompeii fresco - Portrait of a Young Woman

Pompeii fresco – Portrait of a Young Woman

But not  fashion plates (because they are commerce, rather than art) or photographs (because early photographs were not considered art within their time, unless you can prove that the photograph you are working off of was considered art within its own time), or advertising (because, again, commerce).

In addition, your inspiration garment can be a historical (pre 1945) depiction of a fantasy outfit:

Sophia of Hanover as an Indienne, 1644. Painted by her sister, Elisabeth of Bohemia, Princess Palatine

Sophia of Hanover as an Indienne, 1644. Painted by her sister, Elisabeth of Bohemia, Princess Palatine

Or a historical (pre 1945) depiction of a different historical period:

Frederico Andreotti, An Afternoon Tea (detail) 1880s

Frederico Andreotti, An Afternoon Tea (detail) 1880s

But it may not be a modern (post 1945) depiction of a historical garment.

Hope that clears things up!

Have fun!  Create!  Make something beautiful!

25 Comments

  1. Hana - Marmota says

    Yes, thank you for the clarification!
    I’ve settled on a period painting anyway (something I’ve already wanted and have the fabric for), the most obvious interpretation, but art really tends to be rather vague these days!

    By the way, the etching is missing.

  2. Stella says

    I’m looking forward to this one. There’s a piece of fresco from Tyrins I have my eye on, and my research assures me overshot weaving is the most likely way to recreate the decoative edging on Mycenaean clothes.

  3. Clara says

    Question!

    Would it be acceptable to take a painting or photo which depicts a non figurative element (such as a landscape, or abstract) and use that as a pallet for your historical garment? For instance Mondrian’s Composition in red, blue, and yellow for a dress? Or Vermeer’s View of the Delph for fabric swatch colours?

    • The Dreamstress says

      To be perfectly honest, I kinda suspect that I would view most creations that used that as a base for their inspiration as slightly cheating on the challenge. At the same time, I’m not going to remove a comment with a link to a challenge or delete it from the FB album unless it is REALLY out of line with the challenge theme, so you could go ahead with it. And you might convince me.

  5. Jocelyn says

    So you’re saying the Art piece must portray some piece of fashion? I was going to use inspiration from a painting where no fashion is included.

    • The Dreamstress says

      Like I said to Clara, I’m not sure I would actually think that counts, but I’m extremely unlikely to remove it from any compilations of challenge items!

      • Miriam says

        Arrgh… I had in my mind since octobre when I was in Prague and in the Mucha museum to make a Mucha dress… He is such a well-known artist.

        Would another of his series work? Like the automn dress of the four seasons series? http://one1more2time3.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/3alphonse-mucha-the-four-seasons.jpg (I know that it is very alike the dress in the first example, but this one is not an ad, definately).
        Last question: Would inspiration from another piece of art count? I have long wondered about the costumes of the Russian ballet… (Beside the politics challenge, this is the one my mind has most dwelt on and I am quite desperate to give up the Mucha project).

        • The Dreamstress says

          The Four Seasons series is perfect. 🙂 I’m dubious about the ballet idea, because while many well known artists did design for the ballet, contemporary writings make it clear that their stage work was not considered art in the same way that the classic painting/sculpture etc was considered art.

          • Regina says

            So glad to hear that not all Mucha is off-limits. I can’t wait to see this one. The Four Seasons is one of my favorites.

  7. Geraldine says

    Now I have the excuse to make this dress I saw in a painting! Thank you

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