Chemise

Art Historical Context

Step into the intimate world of 19th-century undergarments with this delicate *Chemise* from the 1870s, crafted from soft cotton by an unknown artist. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, this—likely American or European in origin—was generously gifted by Miss Ella J. Deder in 1945. As a foundational layer of women's attire during the Victorian era, the chemise served as a loose-fitting shift worn directly against the skin, providing modesty and protection beneath corsets, petticoats, and elaborate gowns. Cotton's breathability and absorbency made it an ideal medium f...