Bodice

Art Historical Context

Step into the elegant world of early 19-century American fashion with this delicate cotton bodice, a charming survivor from the Costume Institute at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. to the early 1800s, this fitted upper garment—typically worn as part of a woman's dress—exemplifies the high-waisted, neoclassical silhouettes inspired by the Revolutionary era's embrace of simplicity and classical ideals. Though crafted by an unknown artist, preservation through the bequest of Maria P. in 1910 offers a tangible link to everyday American life during a time of national growth and expanding textile in...