I've always been under the impression that the apron or overskirt over the Countess of Southampton's petticote was a kind of protection for the embroidery on her petticote. I don't know what gave me this impression to be honest, so I can't tell you I read it in a book or anything so concrete. Just something to contribute to your contemplations.
Yes, that's what makes me think skirt - it looks like the Italian ones, and also like the sheer organza sleeves worn over embroidered sleeves in England.
I just need to pull out the really big picture I have of it and see if the sheer goes around to the back or not. The other thing is that I have never seen an apron that does that in front.
(Why do I feel like I'm watching a horse race or something?)
Seriously, what makes me think apron is looking at the hem, the sheer bit doesn't show at the outter edges of the skirt on the bottom. The one side is obscured by the doggie, but the other is pretty open. Totally looks like an apron to me.
Waiting in breathless anticipation ;) or something like that. Do you know which museum the painting is in? (if we're lucky enough that it is in a museum on display) would be awesome to see it in person. So much doesn't translate into photography.
Looking at the bottom edge on the left, yeap, there is a corner that, like you said, makes it look like an apron. There are distictive lines on either side that also say "apron" rather than overskirt. Not that there aren't some pretty clear examples of sheer overskirts from that time. Like the spiderweb one over the pretty red velvet portrait... And then there is the whole sheer stuff going on on the Persian Elizabethan outfit portrait....
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I just need to pull out the really big picture I have of it and see if the sheer goes around to the back or not. The other thing is that I have never seen an apron that does that in front.
...but there's always a first time. :)
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(Why do I feel like I'm watching a horse race or something?)
Seriously, what makes me think apron is looking at the hem, the sheer bit doesn't show at the outter edges of the skirt on the bottom. The one side is obscured by the doggie, but the other is pretty open. Totally looks like an apron to me.
Reply
Reply
Do you know which museum the painting is in? (if we're lucky enough that it is in a museum on display) would be awesome to see it in person. So much doesn't translate into photography.
Reply
Looking at the bottom edge on the left, yeap, there is a corner that, like you said, makes it look like an apron. There are distictive lines on either side that also say "apron" rather than overskirt. Not that there aren't some pretty clear examples of sheer overskirts from that time. Like the spiderweb one over the pretty red velvet portrait... And then there is the whole sheer stuff going on on the Persian Elizabethan outfit portrait....
Reply
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