Sunday, March 21, 2010

Yay or Nay? Mrs. Elijah Boardman

My selections have been pleasing you lately! I am surprised, with this being a hard crowd to please. The Duke of Alba got another Yay last week. This week has been rather springy and today being the first day of spring, I can't help but post a dress for the seasons.

Ralph Earl paints Mary Ann Boardman (1796) in her persimmon gown and lace fichu with flowers in her hair. Yay or Nay?

[Huntington Library and Art Gallery]

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25 comments:

  1. AudreyMarch 21, 2010 at 1:09 AM

    Yay! I love the color of the skirt, it's a wonderful pop of color. However, did she really feel the need to match the table cloth?

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  2. Knitting InsomniacMarch 21, 2010 at 4:05 AM

    A big YAY! I love everything about this dress, the color, the frilly fichu, the fabric...

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  3. HélèneMarch 21, 2010 at 6:29 AM

    yay on the dress, love the color. The coiffure is unfortunate, though. It looks more like it should have been a table decoration.

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  4. Isabella Bradford/Susan Holloway ScottMarch 21, 2010 at 8:52 AM

    Yay! A little style from this side of the pond...
    I've always wondered about the hat on the table, however. She couldn't ever have intended to put it on top of those flowers. Is it there just in case the flowers wilt, or maybe representing the absent Mr. Boardman?

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  5. MonicaMarch 21, 2010 at 9:52 AM

    YAY!
    The colour is divine!
    Although I am not too fond of her hair.

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  6. nightsmusicMarch 21, 2010 at 10:29 AM

    I think I have to remain neutral on this one. The dress itself is beautiful, but I don't care for the color. Between that, the tablecloth and drapes, and even the chair fabric, it's too monochromatic against the gray of the walls. Perhaps the fact that I can't wear orange at all 'color's' my opinion, but I don't think so ;)

    Is that a broach she's wearing? It looks like something hanging from her hair.

    The hat looks like the artist tossed it on the table before he set up his easel.

    I think each item alone is charming, but the composition is too off-putting for me.

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  7. Olympe de la Tour D'AuvergneMarch 21, 2010 at 11:00 AM

    A big yay from me! I love everything from the waist down, especially the color, but I agree with Helene about the headdress looking more like a centerpiece.

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  8. Jen ThompsonMarch 21, 2010 at 1:25 PM

    Nay. Too much fussiness covering her bodice.

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  9. LauraMarch 21, 2010 at 2:11 PM

    I love her gown, the color is beautiful. I don't care for her hat. I would have liked to see something larger/poufier or no hat at all. I agree with Nightmusic - the composition is off-putting and would it have killed her to smile?

    So, it's a mild yay from me.

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  10. cherylynnMarch 21, 2010 at 2:21 PM

    Too bad about the drapes, tablecloth and back of the chair---all take away from the gorgeosity of her skirt. I even like the fluffy fischu and the flowers in her hair. A big yay from me for the dress not the setting.

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  11. Alex BeecroftMarch 21, 2010 at 2:42 PM

    I like the dress but I think it's a shame that she matches the curtains.

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  12. ClaudiaMarch 21, 2010 at 3:44 PM

    yay! give me that hat!

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  13. Svea LoveMarch 21, 2010 at 4:55 PM

    Oh dear, I think I am the one of the few nay's lol. I do agree the colors are beautiful, but there is just something missing. I think it is a lifelike quality from the two subjects.

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  14. AnonymousMarch 21, 2010 at 6:44 PM

    I love the dress. I would have preferred a less elaborate fichu with such a big head dress BUT still a yay due to the color and style!

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  15. CassieMarch 21, 2010 at 10:27 PM

    Oh, sorry, but nay.

    I do love the skirt, but all the frills on top are to much for me.

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  16. The DreamstressMarch 21, 2010 at 10:58 PM

    Oh Nay. I love the persimmon colour, but the fichu is terribly unflattering, and the whole ensemble is a little too symmetrical and lacks flair.

    Also, clearly no-one told Mrs Boardman that the dress is not supposed to match the furniture!

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  17. EmilyMarch 21, 2010 at 11:48 PM

    Yay!

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  18. Paul MillerMarch 22, 2010 at 9:39 AM

    I like aspects of the outfit, like the broach and the skirt fabric, but overall I think it is frumpy and homely. Perhaps because the wearer is both of those things. If the bodice was more tailored and perhaps if she hadn't had the genius idea of pinning her nosegay to the top of her head...I vote 'nay'. [But I love her taste in rugs.]

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  19. AnonymousMarch 22, 2010 at 10:45 AM

    YAY! I know some are off-put by her hair, but I think it epitomizes American simpilicty in fashion. I think it's a lovely ensemble.

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  20. LindaMarch 22, 2010 at 9:01 PM

    I like only the color of the dress and nothing else about it. Don't like the hat. I also think her expression is a bit strange. No charm.

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  21. Belle-EtoileMarch 23, 2010 at 2:04 AM

    Yay! I love the simpleness of it, yet how the ruffles keep it from looking severe, and that clean soft form really lets the beautiful color of the dress shine. I like little splash of orange flowers in her hair, too.

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  22. katyaMarch 23, 2010 at 12:28 PM

    I love the dress, the color of it.

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  23. JessiMarch 24, 2010 at 10:58 AM

    Nay - went a bit too far with the colour co-ordination...and, though I like the colour of the skirt itself, the whole portrait smacks of coloured pencil. (Please don't lynch me!)Love the view out the window, however!

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  24. EarthangieMarch 29, 2010 at 9:51 AM

    I'm sorry to Nay say... but Mary's man face throws the whole ensemble off, totally... lol

    I'm a nay to the whole shebang.
    But I still love (lur) you!

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  25. AileenMarch 29, 2010 at 2:24 PM

    Yay, I love the vivid colors and delicate lace.

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