Yay or Nay? Madame la Vidame d'Amiens

Well Lady Susan Fox-Stangways certainly had us scratching our heads in wonderment on how her dress managed to crawl up her neck and attack her, but we still dug her threads, earning her a Yay.  This week we shall check out another classic cut that is drawn in an elusive way, leaving much to the imagination.  How mysterious!

Louis Carrogis Carmontelle draws Madame la Vidame d'Amiens who has a rather advanced knowledge of exterior pockets (aka purses) in her rosie gown of white.  Yay or Nay?

[Musée Condé]

Yay or Nay? Lady Susan Fox-Strangways

Frizzy hair aside, Mrs Juel won us over with her sunny gown which got a very happy Yay from the panel.  This week we will travel to England for our selection.  A non-frizzy hair selection.

Allan Ramsay paints Lady Susan (1761) in frilly white gown with a delft-blue stomacher.  Yay or Nay?

Yay or Nay? Mrs Juel

Sorry Wilhelmine Encke Gräfin Lichtenau, the Nay was loud and clear for your pink wardrobe malfunction.  As for those who asked about why her nipple was showing, nipple exposure was not as risque as now, and it wasn't uncommon for ladies' nipples to be exposed.  These were usually covered by fichus. Perhaps some less loud and more delicate, this week?

Jens Juel paints his wife (1791) gazing with admiration at his work while wearing a gauze gown and yellow petticoat.  Yay or Nay?

Yay or Nay? Wilhelmine Encke Gräfin Lichtenau

It's difficult to say no to good looking man.  It's especially difficult to say nay to one when they have the good taste of Jacques Cathelineau who earned a starry-eyed Yay from our panel.  All this manliness needs to be countered with a bit of girlishness for this week's selection.

Anna Dorthea Therbusch paints Wilhelmine Encke Gräfin Lichtenau (1776) in a pink gown prone to wardrobe malfunctions. Yay or Nay?

[New Palace, Potsdam]

Yay or Nay? Jacques Cathelineau

Week after week I've come to find out that I can't predict the outcome of our weekly selection.  So is the case of Mrs. Peale, who I assumed would have to simple a dress for everyone's taste.  I was wrong and Mrs. Peale earned a Yay.  This week, let's look at what handsome French war heroes were wearing.

Anne-Louis Girodet de Roussy-Trioson paints Jacques Cathelineau in his dashing outfit fit more for a pirate than soldier.  Yay or Nay?

[Musée d' Histoire et des Guerres de Vendee]

Yay or Nay? Mrs James Peale

Last week Mrs Gage was up for judgement and our panel spied (heh heh heh) a big Yay. A la Turque gowns must have been quite the show-stoppers at American events, so I can't blame Mrs. Gage for opting to being painted in the style.  This week's selection is no longer in the Turkish style but we have another American fashionista to judge.

James Peale paints his family (1795) and shows off his wife in her simple grey and white robe a l'anglais which she has accessorized with her yellow shawl.  Yay or Nay?

[Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts]

Yay or Nay? Margaret Gage

"Nix the chapeau, Pompadour," cried our panel last week.  That silly small hat looked foolish on such a haute outfit, which earned the royal mistress as Yay. This week we are going to trade in straw hats for turbans.

John Singleton Copley paints Mrs. Thomas Gage (1771) in her Turkish-inspired peach gown.  Yay or Nay?

[Timken Museum of Art]

Yay or Nay? Madame Pompadour

It's a Yay or Nay first.  For once we are split right down the center and cannot come to a decision of whether Lady Egremont is in or out.  To be honest I am a little stunned!  However, this week I think we shall have no trouble deciding whether we like this selection or not!

François-Hubert Drouais paints Jeanne Antoinette Poisson in a warm grey day dress and small straw hat.  Yay or Nay?

[Chateau de Champs-sur-Marne]

Yay or Nay? Alicia Maria Countess of Egremont

Despite some comparisons to wallpaper, das Baron Thure Leonard Klinckowström managed to come out with a Yay for his handsome blue coat.  Speaking of interior decorating elements, I have a great selection for this week!

Arthur Devis paints Alicia Maria Carpenter (1745) in gold trim and ruched ivory silk.  Yay or Nay?

[The California Palace of the Legion of Honor]

Yay or Nay? Baron Thure Leonard Klinckowström

Poor Sarah Siddons, she threw on a Lady Macbeth gown and got a big Nay for it.  Honestly, I think the hair was what really killed this Lady MacBeth.  We haven't had a male selection for some time, I wonder how this one will fair.

Alexander Roslin paints Baron Thure Leonard Klinckowström (1758) in blue flower-patterned coat.  Yay or Nay?

[Sinebrychoffin taidemuseo]

Yay or Nay? Sarah Siddons

Mary Boteler wow most with her look over overflowing ribbons and bows, earning her a Yay.  This week we have another hat in a very theatrical selection.

Thomas Beach paints Sarah Siddons (1786) in theatrical dress for the character of Lady MacBeth.  Yay or Nay?

[Garrick Club]

Yay or Nay? Mary Boteler

What a daring crowd we have Naying an empress!  Maria Theresa's lace extravagance was not appreciated, or perhaps it was the color that truly killed it, either way she ended up with a Nay.  This week there has been much talk about the Royal Ascot and the hats that appeared with it.  So I can't help but put forth a selection this week that includes a hat fit for Ascot.

John Hoppner paints Mary Boteler (1786) in her double buckle picture hat complete with gown of ribbons and gauze and classic black choker.  Yay or Nay?

[Cecil Higgins Art Gallery]

Yay or Nay? Maria Theresa

Mrs. Turner's midnight blue gown met with a Yay although accessorizing it with the pink and white ruff choker did raise many eyebrows.  This week we will get out of the Colonies and evaluate the fashion decisions of a queen, nay, empress...if we dare.

Martin van Meytens paints Empress Maria Theresa (1744) in pink and lace. Yay or Nay?

[Ghent Town Hall]

Yay or Nay? Mary Turner Sargent

Dolce and Gabbana was right in taking a cue from Madame Adelaide who earned many Yays for her starry peach gown.  Of course many, like myself, wouldn't like the gown at all if not for the stars.  Perhaps if they were on this week's gown...

John Singleton Copley paints Mrs Sargent in a midnight blue robe a la francaise.  Yay or Nay?

[Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco]

Yay or Nay? Madame Adelaide

Madame Le Couteulx de Molay hit a home run with her gown last week, earning her a Yay.  This week I've been seeing a lot of stars and stripes...but mostly stars.  So let's run with this theme!

Jean-Marc Nattier paints Marie Adelaide of France (1756) in a peach gown bedecked with silver stars. Yay or Nay?

[Versailles]

Yay or Nay? Madame Le Couteulx de Molay

We came back from our Nay with a big Yay for Anna Karolina Orzelska . Not everyone was sold her accessories, but her dress was a big win.  I personally love the 18th century walking stick, and as someone pointed out, the accessory was a good match to Anna Karolina's personality. This week we're going to skip a few decades and land back into the 80's.

Elisabeth Vigée-Lebrun paints Madame Le Couteulx de Molay (1788) in a black velvet reddingote and striped skirt.  Yay or Nay?

[Musée Nissim de Camondo]

Yay or Nay? Anna Karolina Orzelska

Poor Lady Gaga Anne-Germaine Larrivee; she thought out of the box and it was unsuccessful.  Her blue and white disaster earned her a Nay.  Maybe blue is not in this season...or maybe it is.  Let's check out a different shade.

Antoine Pesne paints Anna Karolina Orzelska (1730) unpowdered in rich blue silks complete with pug and walking stick.  Yay or Nay?

Yay or Nay? Anne-Germaine Larrivee de Vermenoux

Miss Ridge won us over last week and she gained a Yay for her simple yet unique gown.  But simplicity isn't the name of the game this week.

Jean-Étienne Liotard draws Anne-Germaine Larrivee (1764) in her very couture gown of blue and white and pearls.  Yay or Nay?

[Private Collection]

Yay or Nay? Miss Ridge

Last week's wedding dress created all sorts of buzz about Hedvig Elisabeth Charlotte's slender figure.  I was surprised that no one pointed out how panniers make you look skinny, especially massive panniers!  Naturally Charlotte got a Yay.  This week, no more wedding dresses but it can't hurt to see another English maid sleeved in white.

Joshua Reynolds paints Miss Ridge (1773) unpowdered, in white with gold and blue trim.  Yay or Nay?

[Cincinnati Art Museum]

Yay or Nay? Princess Hedvig Elisabeth Charlotte

No dress-downers in this group!  Last week Lovisa Ulrika's wedding gown earned her a Yay although many people plead to the queen to add some jewelery.  The truth of the matter is, in other versions of the painting she wears a glitzy choker, sadly that version was of a yucky quality which is why I didn't feature it.  Speaking of which, what is it with yucky qualities and wedding gowns?  This week's selection is another wedding gown and you'll have to excuse the poor quality of image.

Alexander Roslin paints Princess Hedvig Elisabeth Charlotte (1774) in her wedding gown. OH WAIT this gown STILL EXISTS (click the link to help make your judgement)! Yay or Nay?

[Royal Armory]