It's the Weekend: Fly-by Post

Dogs appearing in portraiture, and paintings in general, are known as being a symbol of loyalty and fidelity. Below, Mary and Elizabeth Royall have their pup featured in this oil painting by John Singleton Copley. My own dog (who bears a striking resemblance to many dogs in 18thc. paintings) is currently at the vet hospital for the second time in as many weeks, and looking at dogs in paintings gives me a small piece of comfort. She is definitely a loyal and faithful companion, and if I could bring her to reenactments she would fit in quite well!

Mary and Elizabeth Royall, 1758. Oil on canvas by
John Singleton Copley. Accession #25.49. Currently
on view in the Art of Americas Wing.

Margaret Kemble Gage and the Turkish Dress.

I have a forthcoming post over at the Crazy Concord  Chicks about this very subject, but I figured I'd give my readers a little bit of a sneak peek (and I mean a very little sneak peek; there is simply too much to write about and loads of research still).

Mrs. Thomas Gage (Margaret Kemble), 1771.
John Singleton Copley.

There is much debate whether Mrs. Gage actually owned a Turkish costume or not, if it was just a costume from Copley's "look book." Truth is, through her paternal line she had a connection to Turkey and it seems she also traveled there (maybe, maybe not, still working on that). For more information, this post by J.L. Bell of Boston 1775 begins to dig at Mrs. Gage and her fantasy costume.

What I do know is that one day, I would like to recreate her costume and this portrait, as the color of her gown is simply gorgeous and looks much more structured (read: not necessarily stayed, but maybe) than most Turkish costumes. I'll keep you all posted on that post over that the Crazy Concord Chicks and the research on Mrs. Gage and her gown.

Pocket update tomorrow!