Anton Rafael Mengs paints Archduchess Maria Josefa (1765) in a mantua of orange and blue. Yay or Nay?
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Yay or Nay? Archduchess Maria Josefa
I've been mourning the loss of one of my old favourites, Project Runway. The summer just isn't the same without waiting every week to see which outlandish designer is "out" and which are "in" for another week. Well, many readers who grace this blog enjoy fashion, so let's have our own little historical fashion show. I will post a painting and you determine whether it's a "Yay" or a "Nay." Heck, you can even deem it as a "Great Merciful Mother, no!! What are you thinking?"
Anton Rafael Mengs paints Archduchess Maria Josefa (1765) in a mantua of orange and blue. Yay or Nay?
Anton Rafael Mengs paints Archduchess Maria Josefa (1765) in a mantua of orange and blue. Yay or Nay?
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Yay--the brilliant, almost clashing shades might be a bit much on another lady, but this little princess pulls it off!
ReplyDeletePS
Might we expect this to become a weekly feature?
She's in! She has great style. Carries it off like a Princess.
ReplyDeleteI have a softspot for the daring use of opposite colours, so a yay from moi!
ReplyDeleteYay! When you mix two opposites it's bold, daring, and beautiful (most of the time).
ReplyDeleteI say yay! I love the golden orange and the brilliant blue velvet look awesome together.
ReplyDeleteI'm a little worried about the square panniers though. They may have been the fashion, but that doesn't mean they look good. Maybe the Archduchess needs to 'make it work' :-D
Ha! Let's say she does "make it work" since they're not as noticable or bulky as they could be ;)
ReplyDeleteNeferankh- Yup! As long as people seem to take to it
YAAAAY!!!!
ReplyDeleteNay, too bright and gaudy. I like softer colors. Oh BTW, Project Runway is slated to begin a new season on Lifetime on August 10. Vic
ReplyDeleteYAY! The painting is beautiful. You never cease to amaze me Heather. Your posts grow in wit and humor every single day!
ReplyDeleteIts tragic how Maria Josepha died at such a young age... Was she 14 or 15 at the time?
I bet she could have been just as pretty as Marie Antoinette. Just as famous too(:
I'm so very sorry to post again and become a nuissance, but there is another portrait of Maria Josepha that I have found that was once thought to be of Marie Antoinette at the age of 13. The link is right here:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archduchess_Maria_Josepha
ReplyDeleteIt's a wikipedia page, but go to the portraits on the right side.
yay, I enjoy a risk taker.
ReplyDeleteDefinately Yay! It's a beautiful combination of color. Pairing opposites makes each color look more brilliant. Plus the colors make her skin glow. :-)
ReplyDeleteYay!! While not my absolute favorite 18th century gown, I almost never completely dislike any gown I see!!
ReplyDeleteI have to say yes, but it's actually hard to say yes or no when you only have a painting to look at. Because the painting is absolutly gorgeous, but who knows how it looked (or if it even existed) in real life.
ReplyDeleteBut it's YAY!
Nay!
ReplyDeleteThe blue: gorgeous!
The orange: fabulous!
Together: What football team is she supporting again?
yayy!
ReplyDeleteYea! (I think it's 'yea' or 'nay', not too sure though!) I love this. Where is it shown?
ReplyDeleteI'd say nay - it's a nearly, but that orange is just a tad too gaudy... I'd've gone for a softer gold. The blue is lush, though. Thanks for sharing the lovely painting!
ReplyDeleteYay! I mostly like her hair and the bows on her sleeves.
ReplyDeleteYAY! Love the color combo--it's bold, but works on a young princess :)
ReplyDeleteYay! A beautiful, gorgeous dress. I love the colours..
ReplyDeleteIMHO I say "Yay" because I think that the colors work brilliantly together. However I do wonder if her designer could have have dialed back the exaggerated panniers a bit. Were they meant to make ladies look the Venus of Villendorf...i.e. fertile which I guess would be appropriate for any royal female needing to produce an heir.
ReplyDeleteI find the colors too mature for our young Archduchess. She is much too pretty to wear such dowdy hues. I'd much prefer to see pastels against her beautiful skin. Let us give this frock to her mother! (Not that she would fit into it, mind you...)
ReplyDeleteYay - although such a racy and sexually charged pose could do untold damage to the morality of its admirers.
ReplyDeleteI'd say yea. I feel the colors are a little bold and mature for such a young girl, but they're so rich and she has such a sweet face and turn of the head that I think she (or the artist) pulls it off. My only quasi-complaint is what I consider to be the over-ruching of the sleeves, but it's a mere trifle.
ReplyDelete(But I still found the football comment quite amusing.)
Definitely yay! gorgeous colours
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! and I say Nay.
ReplyDeleteYay! Love the colour combo and only the best can wear a 'grand corps' with such ease.
ReplyDeleteThe color combination is a trifle loud, but she wears it well. Yea.
ReplyDeleteyay! I love the two bold colors together, and she has the confidence to wear them beautifully!
ReplyDeleteMost definitely a yea. Very classy.
ReplyDelete