An exhibition of 15 paintings on the theme of l9th and 20th century fashion opens today at the National Gallery of Ireland and will run until June 12th.
Part of its regular "In Focus" series drawn from the permanent collection, it is the first time the gallery has chosen the subject of women's dress in art.
The pictures from l818 to l969, some of which have not been seen for some time, depict Victorian, Edwardian and 20th century styles on the fashionable women of the day. A small oil of Lady Lavery in a red, purple and orange cloak and red shoes, by her husband Sir John Lavery, was singled out as the promotional image for the exhibition.
Other interesting items include Seán O Sullivan's painting of Sybil Connolly in one of her signature pleated linen dresses from l955, presented to the gallery by her estate in l998. Another is Leo Whelan's portrait of Gladys McCabe at home in Clyde Road dressed in black.
The woman in Cecil Drake's painting in a flamboyant mauve dress trimmed with matching ostrich feathers was Lady Dorothy Mayer, a singer, writer and patron of the arts whose husband Sir Robert Mayer was co founder of the London Philharmonic Orchestra. The Mayers were also patrons of Irish music.
A significant item is "A Woman in a Black Dress" by Belgian artist Alfred Stevens which captures the essence of l880s evening wear and interiors. Charles Frederick Worth, generally recognised as the first couturier, drew his vision of the typical Parisian woman from Stevens, a society painter and a keen and perceptive observer of fashionable taste of the time.
The exhibition "Followers of Fashion: Women's Dress in l9th and 20th Century Painting" has been curated by Sara Donaldson, research assistant at the gallery who has an MA in Design History from NCAD and whose thesis was on the history of Edwardian dress. A series of eight lectures to accompany the exhibition will take place in the gallery throughout February every Tuesday at 10.30 and Sunday at 3 p.m.