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University of Notre Dame
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Study of a Woman in a Historical Costume

Date

1867-1929

Creator

Henri Gervex

Location

Raclin Murphy Museum of Art

This drawing might be related to the recording of popular balls where guests dressed in costumes appropriate to a chosen theme. This women’s gown evokes the opulence of such an event and demonstrates Gervex’s ability to capture a historical period. The woman seems to be entering the scene, holding her dress up at the hem as she strides forward. The fabric is carefully drawn, so that its heaviness reinforces the sheen of the taffeta. The notations of color in the upper right indicate that the drawing had a further use: it developed a figure to be included in a much larger oil pointing, where the colors of the dress, only suggested here, would be elaborated in relation to the rest of the composition. from Weisberg, Breaking the Mold: The Legacy of the Noah L. and Muriel S. Butkin Collection of Nineteenth-Century French Art (Notre Dame, 2012)

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This drawing might be related to the recording of popular balls where guests dressed in costumes appropriate to a chosen theme. This women’s gown evokes the opulence of such an event and demonstrates Gervex’s ability to capture a historical period. The woman seems to be entering the scene, holding her dress up at the hem as she strides forward. The fabric is carefully drawn, so that its heaviness reinforces the sheen of the taffeta. The notations of color in the upper right indicate that the drawing had a further use: it developed a figure to be included in a much larger oil pointing, where the colors of the dress, only suggested here, would be elaborated in relation to the rest of the composition. from Weisberg, Breaking the Mold: The Legacy of the Noah L. and Muriel S. Butkin Collection of Nineteenth-Century French Art (Notre Dame, 2012)
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  • This drawing might be related to the recording of popular balls where guests dressed in costumes appropriate to a chosen theme. This women’s gown evokes the opulence of such an event and demonstrates Gervex’s ability to capture a historical period. The woman seems to be entering the scene, holding her dress up at the hem as she strides forward. The fabric is carefully drawn, so that its heaviness reinforces the sheen of the taffeta. The notations of color in the upper right indicate that the drawing had a further use: it developed a figure to be included in a much larger oil pointing, where the colors of the dress, only suggested here, would be elaborated in relation to the rest of the composition. from Weisberg, Breaking the Mold: The Legacy of the Noah L. and Muriel S. Butkin Collection of Nineteenth-Century French Art (Notre Dame, 2012)
  • This drawing might be related to the recording of popular balls where guests dressed in costumes appropriate to a chosen theme. This women’s gown evokes the opulence of such an event and demonstrates Gervex’s ability to capture a historical period. The woman seems to be entering the scene, holding her dress up at the hem as she strides forward. The fabric is carefully drawn, so that its heaviness reinforces the sheen of the taffeta. The notations of color in the upper right indicate that the drawing had a further use: it developed a figure to be included in a much larger oil pointing, where the colors of the dress, only suggested here, would be elaborated in relation to the rest of the composition. from Weisberg, Breaking the Mold: The Legacy of the Noah L. and Muriel S. Butkin Collection of Nineteenth-Century French Art (Notre Dame, 2012)
Henri Gervex (French, 1852 - 1929)
1867-1929
Drawings
Black, red and white chalk on paper mounted to lightweight board
2009.045.023
costume
women
Not on view, please request access
19 1/4 x 12 1/2 in. (48.9 x 31.75 cm)
The Muriel S. and Noah L. Butkin Collection

Our collection information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. If you have spotted an error, please contact Raclin Murphy Museum of Art at RMMACollections@nd.edu.