H. & C. (Hamilton and Clarissa) Condon (attributed to)
Fashion Studies for the History of Fashion
c. 1930s
Watercolor and gouache on paper
18 x 15 inches
$550 each
History of French Fashion
From the 14th to 20th Centuries
From the 14th to 20th Centuries
La Femme Fatale, 1145 |
La Femme des Lettres, 1382 |
La Debutante, 1388 |
La Debutante, 1388 |
L'Excentrique, 1388 |
La Femme Fatale, 1388 |
La Mondaine, 1388 |
La Provinciale, 1388 |
La Sportive, 1388 |
La Sportive, 1465 |
La Debutante, 1663 |
La Debutante, 1700 |
| A pageant of Western women's dress from the medieval era to the 1920s is illustrated in this series of beautiful and chic original fashion studies. This vast catalogue of images is organized through a series of feminine types, each titled on the work in French: La Femme Fatale, La Mondaine, La Sportive, La Debutante, La Femme de Lettres, La Vielle Dame, L'Excentrique, La Provincial and La Douairiere. This cast of characters in the drama of fashion promenades across the artist's imaginary stage in a lavish sartorial display, clothed in empire gowns, hoop skirts, bustles, hobble skirts and flapper dresses. For example, La Sportive of the year 1388 is almost literally queen for the day in her regal blue cape emblazoned with unicorn coats of arms. In contrast, the Femme de Lettres and the Debutante of 1913 are shown freed from their corsets in the prevailing long and soigne silhouettes of the time. According to information received from a grandson of American film director F. Herrick Herrick (1895-1987), Hamilton and Clarissa Condon were living in Nassau, the Bahamas, in the 1930s and proposed that Herrick write a screenplay about their lives. Though the movie was never made, Herrick took slides of them at work which still survive. In these photos, the Condons appear to be in their fifties or sixties. Works given to Herrick by the Condons are in the same style and format. In addition, a pair of similar fashion studies by the Condons were in the Collection of H.R.H. the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, sold Sothebys, New York, 1998. Condition: Generally very good with the usual overall light toning and wear. |