Corselet

Art Historical Context

Step into the refined world of mid-19-century French fashion with this exquisite *Corselet*, a luxurious silk garment from the Costume Institute at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Dating to the era of the Second Empire under Napoleon III, this piece exemplifies the era's obsession with the hourglass silhouette, where corsets like this one cinched the waist to accentuate a woman's figure. Donated as a gift from Samuel Thorne in 196, it offers a tangible glimpse into the opulent undergarments that shaped Victorian-era elegance. Crafted from sumptuous silk, the corselet highlights the material's...