Sunday, November 22, 2009

Yay or Nay? Queen Maria Luisa

Well it came close, but the overall vote on Princess Anna's shimmery silver getup was a Nay. We would like to actually see the fine details of the gown, not be blinded by them! Speaking of details, let's look to another royal who seems to enjoy them gracing her gown.


Zacarías González Velázquez paints Maria Luisa of Parma (1790) in all her embroidered splendor reminiscent of the early 18th century. Yay or Nay?

[Museo del Prado]

30 comments:

  1. I love the ornamentation of the gown and I don't object to the general silhouette, but the painting and wearer convey a stiff lack of ease that is a turn off. Also, her chin is so recessed she looks like one of those primitive dolls that are made of faces painted on spoons that have thin handles decked out in garments. More nay than yay.

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  2. Well since this is all about the fashion and taste, I'll consider that a Yay from you!

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  3. I LOVE IT. I love the colors, deep burgundy and creams, the floral detail is beautiful at the bottom almost architectural in style (of the deet that is) and the draping lace across the bodice is very pretty.

    I just wish if I could tell whether or not those are tassels on the skirt. If so ...then they are not my top choice.

    I am all about haberdashery so the hat is in too. Looks like one you might own actually!

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  5. I don't really like the total toilette... It's a bit too stiff, and the "cute" neckline fichu is all wrong to this grande robe. However, the details of the jupe and gown are beautiful, and I like the colours.
    Her coiffure is too "fancy", it kills the overall impression. I agree with Paul Miller - more nay than yay.

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  6. Quite beautiful at first glimpse, but... a bit too stiff. So Nay.

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  7. i'm sorry but it's a resounding Nay this time...she looks as if she's grabbed the curtains off the rail and what the devil is that on her head?

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  8. Oh dear, there are better portraits of this lady. Her dress is bright, but her face is so shadowed and that headdress just overwhelms her. Too much going on all at once, and not very harmoniously. She looks exactly like someone else dressed her, and she is not comfortable with it. Nay, very nay.

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  9. I'm back =)! I must say I've been suffering withdrawal symptoms but have just had too much work...anyway...

    It's another split decision from me - a 'yay' on the lovely dress but a 'nay' on the pokerfaced model and headress...shame!

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  10. Oh dear lord. I never like Maria Luisa much, but, God! NNNAAAYYY

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  11. Definitely Spanish. It's interesting to see the influence of French fashion mixed with the rigidity of Spanish fashion. It's very beautiful, however she looks uncomfortable or annoyed, I can't quite tell which.

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  12. I think maybe annoyed. I would be too if I looked like I had no teeth.

    The fabric is beautiful and I like the style and decoration, but she doesn't wear it with ease. (My mother sure was right about posture.) I am also keen on the headdress, but, sadly, must give it more a nay than yay.

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  13. In all likelihood, she probably didn't have any teeth!

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  14. Yay regarding the gown, but nay on the cap and fichu. And is that a scarlet velvet cape? Nay!

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  15. Ick. There is a very similar gown in the KCI, and it is just as ugly in real life as in the painting.

    And what the heck is she wearing on her head? It looks like a nappy (diaper).

    Definitely nay.

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  16. i looove her outfit!!! her face... nah! lol buut her clothes are lovely! so yay for me ^.^

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  17. It is certainly interesting for me to read the post. Thank author for it. I like such themes and everything that is connected to them. I would like to read a bit more on that blog soon.

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  18. what an ugly woman.
    Nay

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  19. Wasn't Maria Luisa Marie Antoinette's sister?
    I like the skirt, but I do believe those are tassels on the fabric draped over the panniers. Did her dressmaker grab some curtains in desperation? Nay.

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  20. nay nay nay
    more shame to the artist for making the model's waist look like something surreal (goya?) no, there are too many problems with this picture.....something.....evil?

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  21. It's agreeable...I'll say yay:)

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  22. A hearty Yay! for the gown, but the hair and hat are just dreadful! So, sadly, I'm split!

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  23. Nay. I love the details but the color is a no-go for me.

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  24. NAY. She looks like a piece of furniture, and the patterning on the dress reminds me of wallpaper. Anything that makes you look like an inanimate object is just wrong.

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  25. The gown is lovely but the hairstyle and cape kill it. Less is more, dear. Nay

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  26. Love the dress, but it doesn't fit with the collar, woman, hairstyle, or hat.

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  27. The gown's a yay, but the hat's got to go!

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  28. The gown is pretty - good attempt at blending contemporary fashion with the strictures of court style - and the embroidered detail is LOVELY, but I don't think the colour works with the red velvet and ermine cape of state. And the cap is just a step too far. I think I have to give the overall look a NAY.

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