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Who Wore it Better?

Frédérique Louise Wilhelmine and Mrs. Francis Russell. Both ladies wear day gowns in white, with diaphanous layers. Accessorized with a pastel silk ribbon around the waist to enhance both a slim waistline and femininity. Who wore it better?

Johann Heinrich Tischbein I, Frédérique Louise Wilhelmine, Princess of Orange-Nassau. 1788, oil on canvas. Musée des beaux-arts.


 George Romney, Mrs. Francis Russell.  1785-87, oil on canvas. The Art Institute of Chicago. 

Who wore it better?

18 comments:

  1. I give it to the Princess of Orange-Nassau. More attention to detail and line, I think. Plus I love a pink ribbon.

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  2. I give it to Orange-Nassau too - that drawstring under the bust but above the waist on Mrs. Russell is just kindof weird.

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  3. I agree. Orange-Nassau ftw!

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  5. I am for Mrs Francis Russel. I love the contrasting blue sash!

    Edit due to still being half-asleep

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  6. i love both, but the first one a little bit more :)

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  7. the first has the better dress but the second wears hers better! (The sash looks slightly strange on Orange-Nassau)

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  8. Mrs. Russel gets my vote. I think she looks absolutely lovely!

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  9. Both look very well, but Frédérique pulls it off best, as a princess should.

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  10. First glance I'd have Nassau, but in the end I think I have to go with Mrs Russel!

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  11. That's a tough one! I like Mrs. Russel's dress more, it looks more comfortable and day-dressish...but you can't beat the pincess' accessorizing! That hat, those shoes! I have to go with her.

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  12. Anonymous12:44 PM

    Fredrique--her muslin is more sheer and pretty than Mrs. Russel's, and the pink looks just a bit better, like "Je ne sais quoi!"

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  13. Frédérique, to me the dress looks far more elegant on her.

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  14. Princess of Orange-Nassau for me:)

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  15. Mrs Russell by far! Her dress looks more natural, as appropiate for the spirit of that decade. The silvers sheen and the stiffness in the princess's dress looks sickly. And Mrs Russell wears her hat so much better - the princess looks ill-proportioned with hers.

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  16. Katherine Louise12:41 PM

    I know I'm late to the party, but I'm for Mrs. Russell. So elegant, yet informal; gorgeous hat; I like what Alisa wrote about how well the portrait fits the mood of the age. And how can you say no to a Romney?

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  17. Anonymous1:42 AM

    The Princess, most definitely. The design utilizes the sheer layers far better than the second gown, managing to be both sexy and sweet with the neckline.

    ~Lylassandra

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  18. Princess of Orange-Nassau

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