In the eighteenth-century
aristocratic and wealthy people commissioned portraits. People dressed
in their best clothes when sitting for portraits. In viceregal Mexico
and in the British colonies, portrait painters followed European
styles. The portraits presented here reflect the different tastes
and cultures of Mexico City and Charleston, South Carolina.
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Portrait of a Lady
Franz Mayer Collection
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Portrait of Mrs. John Champneys
Bayou Bend Collection
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Dress
Miguel de Herrera painted the Mexican lady in an elaborately patterned
silk brocade dress adorned with lace ribbon and yards of lace
at the bodice and sleeves.
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Dress
Mrs. Champneys wears a rich satin dress trimmed with ermine,
lace and pearls. Jeremiah Theus based these clothes on printed
portraits of English aristocrats. Mrs. Champneys probably did
not own clothes depicted here.
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Jewelry
The jewelry in this portrait is lavish. She wears bracelets, a
watch, earrings, and holds an ivory fan.
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Jewelry
Mrs. Champneys wears a simple necklace.
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Hairstyle
The woman here has an elaborate, high hair style. Note especially
the nine diamond ornaments in her hair.
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Hairstyle
Mrs. Champneys has a simple, unadorned hair style.
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Social
Status
This portrait attests to the aristocratic status of the woman
portrayed. As was the habit in Mexico City, she wears lavish jewelry
and clothes as evidence of her place in society. Display of wealth
is of great importance in viceregal society.
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Social Status
Mrs. Champneys belonged to the upper crust in Charleston, one
of the wealthiest cities in the British colonies. Although presented
as having great status, she presents herself here with greater
restraint than the Mexican lady.
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Learn more about women in Mexican history:
[General
Audience] [For
Kids]
(these links will open in a new browser window)
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Learn more about women in British history:
[General
Audience] [For
Kids]
(these links will open in a new browser window)
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