Color of the month - Pink

Pink is the color I have selected for the month of February. The first image I would like to share is a painting attributed to Thomas Gainsborough. A artist well known for painting gorgeous hats, the one seen below is certain to please. It's very simple but very pretty all the same. There will be a hat trimming workshop coming up on February 12th. This would be a great hat to try and reproduce. :)

The other thing I love about this painting is the detail in the silk gown. It's not all that often you see a gown painted as something other than a solid or stripe. Even most of John Singleton Copley's gowns seem to be of a solid color. This is a nice representation of what appears to be a painted silk. The V&A has an interesting article here about conserving a painted silk gown in their collection. 

Attributed to Thomas Gainsborough

Here we see the lovely Dorothy Quincy, wife of John Hancock looking pretty in pink. She was painted by John Singleton Copley in 1772. 

MFA, 1975.13

The painting below is appropriately titled "Woman in Pink Reclining on a Canape." It was painted by Theodore Lebrun around 1819. I really like the combination of pink pelisse and and yellow turban. I wonder what book she is reading...

MET 1979.510

I just stumbled across this image from Le Journal des Dames et des Modes the other day. 

From Le Journal des Dames et des Modes, 1913

Here are two stunning examples of pink evening gowns. Both are by 19th century Parisian fashion designer, Charles Fredrick Worth.

        "Worth's designs are notable for his use of lavish fabrics and trimmings, his incorporation of elements of historic dress, and his attention to fit. While the designer still created one-of-a-kind pieces for his most important clients, he is especially known for preparing a variety of designs that were shown on live models at the House of Worth. Clients made their selections and had garments tailor-made in Worth's workshop." - from the MET article "Charles Frederick Worth (1826–1895) and The House of Worth"

Worth gown from 1900, MET 2009.300.1250a, b

Worth gown from 1895, MET 2009.300.2115a, b