I like 18th century portraits. People on them, people who once had lived in the 18th century, are all so mysterious and enigmatic. From those pictures, portraits of one person or the whole family, we can find out many things about their character, habits or the way of life in general in the 18th century. I have opened this topic because there are so many interesting pictures I would like to post and maybe discuss with you about them or the person that is presented. I hope that you too like the 18th century art – portraits - and have pictures you would like to post.

I will start with one dilemma. I have found that on many pictures from this period, personal portraits, women are wearing this sort of dress that in some way resemble the Roman toga. Where are the stays and “normal dresses”? These clothes uncover body shape and look like it is from far lighter material, maybe it was worn in house.


P.S. – Mrs Abington was a courtizane.

I absolutely love this second portrait, thank you for posting dear! This is one of my favourites, the Duchess of Devonshire by Gainsborough.

That is a really good idea, Marja Vera! Portraits of the 18th century are so facinating...they seem to bring you into another world, out of time.
I don't know about the clothes...maybe it was because of the fashion of classicism typical of the period?

That is high likely.
Here are some male portraits, in one topic I think that Monsieur Andre mentioned how one of his teachers had said that all aristocrats were fat because by being overweighed they had been showing their wealthy life. That is so untrue. These gentlemen could easily resemble Viscount de Valmont, don’t you think?

I like the fluffy dog laying by his master in the first one! Very fluffy indeed!

Can anyone please post the picture of Catharine the Great when she was young?
I like her but I cant find any picture from her youth.


This is how I imagine us living in Comte de Provence’s garden -

I found some pictures of Catherine The Great:


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Antr ... rineII.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Catherine03.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Kata ... _stora.jpg

A friend of mine told me he saw a dress which had belonged to Catherine the great and that she was incredibly small!

Here is a dress of Catherine the Great. Enjoy! http://www.antoinettescloset.com/catherinethegreat.htm

Thank you so much!

You're welcome! :]

We had mentioned her on the other topic, do you remember, I had posted one lovely portrait of her with the fact that, after her death, her body was defiled by the mob, since that happened during her trip to France, during the hateful Revolution . Here is the other beautiful portrait of her.

Of course I remember...she is very beatiful also here

She is beautiful indeed.