Habit à la francaise/1785-1795
The ceremonial outfits worn by the Dutch aristocracy at the end of the 18th century were no less elaborate than those seen in France. The point is well illustrated by this outfit from the wardrobe of Otto, Baron van Randwijk (1763-1833). Otto was an aristocrat from Gelderland. On 12 April 1785 he was made a companion in the Knighthood of Nijmegen and he was an equerry to the Prince of Orange until 1795, when the French invaded and the prince and his family fled to England. Otto himself stayed on in the Netherlands and was later to become mayor of Nijmegen. His wardrobe included this three-piece ceremonial outfit. The embroidery shows the high level of sophistication then typical of court dress. The fabrics may have been embroidered in France before being made up either there or in the Netherlands.
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In case an original piece presents itself as such an exquisit model, it would seem almost a sacrilege to change a detail, even if it might seem insignificant Therefore - like in the original - the silk is a blue/cream ottoman textile, the embroidery has been transferred colour- and shapewise and the elegant cut reflects the taste of its original wearer. The museum dated the suit between 1785 and 1795, but according to our experience it is to be located in the early years of this interval.
As it is characteristic for the late 18th century, the habit is decorated with embroideries perfect in form: floral frames consisting of clover blossoms, daisies, rosebuds and dandelion umbels - the latter is a pattern in white reocurring in nut brown on the cream waistcoat.
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In its entirety this suit is a classical example of the elegant fashion of the Ancien Regime - slim in its silhouette but lavish in its applications - facing the eve of a fashion generation.
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