William LARKIN<br/> <em>Mary, Lady Vere</em> (c. 1612-1615) <!-- (recto) --><br /> oil on canvas<br /> 183.0 x 102.0 cm<br /> National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne<br /> Purchased with funds donated by Leigh Clifford AO and Sue Clifford, Alan and Mavourneen Cowen, the Fox Family Foundation, donors to the Larkin Appeal and the proceeds of the National Gallery of Victoria Annual Dinner, 2014<br /> 2014.553<br /> <!--110975-->
Collection

Observations: Dress in Art and Design History

Over three online sessions, world-leading experts from across the globe looked back through key periods of the history of dress through the ages and across cultures– from the sixteenth to the twentieth centuries – and revealed how fashion shapes and reflects changes in society.

The NGV international online learning series Observations ran in October 2024 with an exploration of the influence and impact of dress across continents and centuries, through the internationally significant NGV Collection of historical painting, fashion and textiles.

Over three online sessions, participants heard from world-leading historians, authors, researchers and curators as they shared how the act and art of dressing shaped – and was shaped by – key moments in history. Looking back to see what women wore in sixteenth and seventeenth century England through a study of portrait paintings, discovering how saris became a vessel for expression and a means of establishing individuality, and how Dandies influenced the makers of menswear and more.

This exclusive collection of recorded presentations was transcribed into a printed publication, the third volume in the NGV Observations series.

  • The Observations program was offered as online presentations released on 12, 19 & 26 October

Session Details

Online
Observations: Dress in Art & Design History Session One: Politics of Dress: 1500–1900

Past event
Online
Observations: Dress in Art & Design History Session Two: Freedom of Dress: 1900s–1950s

Past event
Online
Observations: Dress in Art & Design History Session Three: Expression Through Dress: 20th Century

Past event
Publications

Extend your learning and refer back to key subjects with the Observations publications, containing illustrated works and edited transcripts from the online program. Available from the NGV design store.

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Observations: Dress in Art & Design History is generously supported by an Anonymous donor.