Study for a Costume of a Civil Official, c. 1792
Jacques-Louis Davidexpand_more
Pen and black ink and wash over black chalkexpand_more
Gift of funds from David M. Danielsexpand_more 65.43.1
Not on Viewexpand_more
This costume study for a civil official exemplifies the French Revolution’s utopian spirit. The Committee of Public Safety assigned Jacques-Louis David the ambitious task of reinventing the way French people dressed. He was to design clothes “more appropriate to republican morals and to the character of the Revolution,” not just for government officials and the military but for the average French citizen as well. David completed the commission swiftly, producing a series of sharply drawn studies representing fanciful ensembles that blended influences of antique sculpture, military regalia, and theater.
John Moore, a Scotsman briefly residing in Paris in 1792, described David’s fashion designs—and their first fashion victims—in his journal.
"Part of this dress is already adopted by many; but I have only seen one person in public completely equipped with the whole; and as he had managed it, his appearance was rather fantastical. . . . He is a tall man, and of a very warlike figure; I took him for a Major of Dragoons at least: on enquiry I find he is a miniature painter."
Details
- Title
- Study for a Costume of a Civil Official
- Artist Life
- 1748 - 1825
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 65.43.1
- Provenance
- Edmund Bernard Fitzalan-Howard, 1st Viscount of Derwent, Cumberland Lodge, Windsor Great Park (until d. 1947; sold, December 2, 1948 to Colnaghi); [Colnaghi, London, 1948-49; sold to Wildenstein]; [Wildenstein, London and New York, 1949-65; to Agnew]; [Thomas Agnew and Sons, London, 1965; sold to MIA]
- Catalogue Raisonne
- Rosenberg and Prat 2002, no. 142
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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