Ensemble

Art Historical Context

Step into the opulent world of mid-19th-century fashion this exquisite *Ensemble*, crafted around 1855 from luxurious silk. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume, this piece—likely a coordinated outfit blending skirt, bodice, or complementary elements—exemplifies the era's emphasis on elaborate femininity. Its American or European origins reflect the transatlantic exchange of style during the Victorian period, when wide crinolines and intricate draping defined women's silhouettes, signaling wealth and social refinement. Silk, a prized medium, was handwoven or machine-loomed with ...