Redingote du Matin
One might imagine that a lady’s day started with a refreshing walk in the morning, striding trough arcades and the ado of the awakening lively streets, just how the painter Michel Garnier (1753-1819) depicted it in oil – the picture of an elegant Parisian walking the Palais Royal, which was chosen as source of inspiration for this Redingote du matin. The art of the painter Garnier is known to be particularly accurate in detail concerning the playful fashion of the late 1780s.
Elegante au Palais Royal du Michel Garnier
Above that, it communicates a vivid image of a commonplace scene in the late 18th century Paris: actually, around 60 houses have been built in the vicinity of the palace gardens during the years 1781-1784, accommodating shops, salons and amusements.
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Garnier managed to capture a fashion style which has been everything else but neglectful towards the light-hearted application of accessories. One might even certify a collector’s infatuation. The latter, however, and gladly, applies to our client, who owns an admirable collection of antique braids, laces, scarves and draperies with which she will be well able to meet the appearance Garnier described.
Bearing that in mind, the dress may be considered only as a carrier for the lavish decoration to be added. Nevertheless it is a perfect blend in itself: made of silk shining in glacier blue, kingfisher blue and jade green (the redingote jacket made of finest Faille silk from Tassinari & Chatel). As the elegant Parisian’s front is obscure to the viewer in the Garnier picture, there was some room for speculation here. To “turn the wearer around” we chose for a portrait of Madame Augustine Suzanne Roslin (oval picture), daughter of Alexander Roslin, pictured by himself.
