About Style Imitating Art
Style Imitating Art comes from Salazar, Terri, and Shelbee. Please make sure you visit each blog to see their SIA looks. You can think of it as fashion meets art museum! Style Imitating Art challenges people to find inspiration in different art works, create looks based upon that art work, and share them with the curator for that piece. Every other Monday one of the three selects an inspiration piece of art and posts the image on their blog. They then invite others to interpret that art work through their style. The following Monday, they share their outfits. The curator shares submissions the following Wednesday on her blog. Terri chose this week’s art work. If you’d like, you can read why she chose it here. You can see a few of my looks here, here, here, and here!
Inspiration art work…
About the artist…
This will be short and sweet! The artist is unknown! According to a handwritten label, the artist was “a young man from New Haven,” but I’m guessing they mean New Haven, Connecticut rather than New Haven, Indiana! The work was done in exchange for board. I guess no one will ever know if this young man was an artist by temperament or an artist by trade.
About the art work…
“Portrait of Abigail Rose” was painted in 1786 supposedly as a trade for board. The portrait measures 37.75 x 36.25 inches (95.9 x 92.1 cm) and is painted with oils on canvas. While the eye is drawn to Abigail, there are many other items of note in the piece. There is a Battersea patch box, a collection of books, and the chair upon which she sits. If you look closely at Abigail herself, you may notice her black ribbon, a locket of a man in a red coat (hmmm…that seems a bit off, doesn’t it), and her fichu. She also holds a red rosebud in her hand. But, notice her hands! Don’t they seem a little otherworldly to you? Her right hand just looks a little spooky, but that could just be me! Abigail was fourteen at the time this was painted. She was the eldest of four children born to Justus and Lydia Rose. This almost makes me wish I were more into genealogy! My maiden name was Rose…maybe, Abigail is a long ago second cousin eleventy million times removed!
A little more…
Now, if you’re like me, you’re probably wondering what in the world a Battersea patch box is! Battersea is located on the south bank of the River Thames in the London borough of Wandsworth. In the 18th century, it was known for the production of enamelware. So, a Battersea patch box would have been enameled and contained patches. These patches were often decorative bits applied to the face. Think of the beauty marks you used to see. Abigail lived in North Branford, Connecticut, and her portrait hung in the family home for years. It was also exhibited in the 1930s at the Old Stone House in Guildford, CT. At some point, it must have been stored because it was offered for auction in 2011 and was in very good shape. Until 2011, the portrait remained in the Rose family or with its descendants.
Even more…
But, back to the auction! When the portrait was offered at auction, the lot included not only the portrait, but also the Battersea patch box, Abigail’s prayer book, a handwritten note of provenance, and other family documents. The lot was expected to sell for between $150,000 and $250,000. The first bid was $75,000, and then a bidding war began! Bidders at Bonhams Skinners waited silently as two representatives for phone bidders drove the price up and up! Finally, Steven Score, a Boston dealer, prevailed with a bid of $1,271,000! Yes, you read that right! A portrait done in payment for board by an uneducated painter in 1786 sold for more than one million dollars! I wish I had an attic full of family portraits, don’t you?
My interpretation…
Usually, I get an idea of what I want to do for an SIA challenge, and I usually end up wearing April Cornell! This time, I purposefully turned my back on that side of the closet! Well, that’s not entirely true. My scarves are on that side of the closet, and I knew I had just the scarf for this challenge. So, believe it or not, my look began with this filmy scarf! My daughter bought this for me for Christmas one year at Coldwater Creek. Its gauzy lace edges seemed perfect for imitating the fichu Abigail wears. A fichu was a small triangular scarf worn about a woman’s shoulders. It may have been for warmth or for modesty. I really wanted to wear a sage green skirt, but I had just worn it in this challenge! So, I decided to veer away from that specific color. I thought this skirt would be work just fine (when these go on sale, you need to get yourself one or two). I then looked for something with lacy sleeves. While I didn’t find that, I did find this shirt with embroidered flowers on it. This is a really old top from J Jill. I grabbed this wonderful leather obi belt, my Sofft booties, and then added the pièces de résistance, my porcelain hinged box. Nigel bought this for me after I whined asked him nicely for it! I think it was our first or second trip to the UK. That means it’s over 10 years old.
The elephant in the room…
OK, let’s just talk about that pachyderm! I didn’t dye my hair! I had an appointment last week with my rockstar stylist, Lauren. She was going to just put on a glaze to highlight the grey. When I suggested dark purple, she came out with her newly purchased goodies! Because this isn’t a permanent dye, I love to experiment. I know it will soon fade away, and the silver will come back! Well, both of us were surprised at the bright blue at my roots as well as the variations in color throughout my hair! She had used three different glazes in different amounts. I love the effect! At first, I think she was rather worried about my reaction! She should know me better by now! I love having fun with my hair! As for Nigel, I always say he’s just happy, at this point, that I come home with any hair at all!
The Lewk!
I went with earthy tones to complement my top. I picked up these three bracelets at a little boutique in Fishers. The earrings are decades old and are from Target. I bought the booties at Nordstrom, I think, during one of the Anniversary sales years ago. As mentioned above, the hinged box was bought in London. I don’t store any kind of patches in it, though! Love my belt? Call Anna at April Cornell in Asheville, NC and ask for the “fat” belt! Tell her Marsha sent you!
Wrap it up, Marsha!
While my look doesn’t really match the colors of the inspiration art work, I think it captures the essence of it. True confession time…this is the only time I’ve worn this scarf! I never knew quite what to do with it! I think I will definitely experiment with it more because it’s so lovely. So, can we talk? Are you lucky enough to have family treasures hiding in your attic? Would you sell a family heirloom if you knew you could rake in hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars? Or, are you more apt to keep something because you feel the value is in keeping such things in the family? Please leave a comment or two, and we can talk! I promise to respond as soon as possible. Please come back Thursday for our monthly Ageless Style post as well as a link up!
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Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style, My Bijou LIfe, Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, The Grey Brunette, and Away from the Blue. I also link up with This Blonde’s Shopping Bag, Doused in Pink, Being a Wordsmith, and I do deClaire and Mummabstylish. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs! I’m a co-host on the Weekend Traffic Jam (here). I also am a co-host for Ageless Style on the third Thursday of the month and Songful Style on the last Monday of the month. I also host Final Friday Print Mixing on the last Friday of the month as well as 10 on the 10th on the 10th of the month! I do hope you’ll check out all of these blogs and link parties!
I love how you interpreted this artwork. The added lace scarf is perfect and loving the chic belt. The hair is amazing and so fun! I want to try pink so bad!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Oh, Kathrine, go for it! Mine always fades away within a couple of weeks so you’re really not out much if you don’t like it!
And, thanks! I had fun with this piece of art!
First off I LOVE your hair! It was definitely the first thing I noticed and I thought it looks great. Secondly, I think her hands look a bit otherworldly because the proportions are off there are a few awkward proportions in the painting but I think that’s a huge part of what lends itself to the history and the storyline. You did a great job capturing the feel of the painting. I’m always so impressed with how you all interpret art works and songs into outfits!
Thanks, Joanne! It definitely wasn’t what I was going for, but I love it! Unfortunately, it will fade away in a few weeks! I thought my outfit got the essence if not the right colors!
Yeah, her hands are really kind of creepy! But, I think lots of that time period art is…so flat and blah!
How weird that such a unknown artist is so expensive. But the painting is lovely. And so is your skirt. Your hair looks amazing though. I really think that looks fabulous on you!
I know! I suppose there was lots of hype to build up the anticipation about it. It probably helped that they had all of the documentation and that it had been in the same family since the beginning!
Thanks! I really do like the hair, but I have to wash it in cold water! That I do not like!
Love that you went with the silhouettes, pieces, and general feeling of Abigail’s outfit instead of color this time – it is such a pretty outfit and wonderfully accessorized with your enamel box and luxuriously stripy purple hair!
Thanks, Sally! It was such an easy yet difficult challenge. I really do like how the outfit came out! And, I do love my “luxuriously stripy” hair!
I love the hair and I laughed that he’s happy when you come home with any hair. That’s how my hubby is.
I love how you recreated this look Marsha, and the great history of it. OMG, a million for that painting?? Wowza,
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Thanks, Jodie! I was shocked that such a simple portrait could get that kind of money. I suppose part of it was the provenance being so solid and probably also the area.
As for the hair, I was so conservative for so many years with my hair. Now, it’s all fun! The only color that doesn’t work on me is pink. I just look like I’ve dripped KoolAid on my head. IDK…maybe that’s what people think now!!! Mike had a dr appt, and our GP just raved about it!!! So, I guess I’m doing something right!
Oh, I love SIA posts! Daenel used to do them and I thought they were so interesting. Yours did not disappoint!
Your outfit really does capture the essence of the work, and I enjoyed learning about it. (Maybe I should’ve taken in a boarder to paint my DR mural… might have been a better option!)
Love the hair! I wonder if a glaze is like a toner? I am overdue for a toner to blend in my gray grow out, But a pretty color is a fun way to play while all that happens… Love how vibrant it is on you!
Btw, the lovely box from England I originally mistook for a mini sprinkle donut. I think someone needs a prescription update,
Thanks, Em! I do think a glaze is a lot like a toner. But, to be honest, my hairstylist kinda intimidates me so I don’t ask!! It’s already beginning to fade…but I knew it would!
SIA posts really are fun and a challenge! I usually go with the essence rather than verbatim (if that’s even the right word). Oh, I don’t think you need a boarder to finish your mural. I think it’s going to be amazing!
Hahaha!!! A mini sprinkle donut is an idea…hmmmm….
You did a fab job styling this outfit for the challenge. Your hair is amazing.
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
Thanks so much, Lovely! Alas, it is already fading!
I LOVE YOUR HAIR! Wow, what beautiful shades. Also? Great job on the challenge. You really nailed it.
Michelle
https://funkyfashionstyle.com
Thanks, Michelle! My stylist said we probably couldn’t repeat it if we tried! I hope she does try on other women, though, because I’ve felt like a million dollars every day! And, I really did like the way this outfit came out!
I love your outfit interpretation, Marsha! I also love these fichu style scarves. I have worn them tied around my waist as well. They look really cute over dresses, leggings, or trousers that way! And yes, let’s talk about your hair! How fun! It looks amazing. I really love that it isn’t permanent, too, so you can try it out before long term committing! Your posts always make me smile. Thank you for sharing your joyful energy with us all!
Shelbee
Oh, thank you so much, Shelbee! I love having fun with my hair! It’s easy when the base is white!! Hmmm…I’ll have to try some of those ways with this scarf. It really is so pretty and deserves to be worn more!
I love how you said Nigel is just happy you come back with hair! It sure is a fun color! Getting my haircut tomorrow just a trim, I am working on going every 3 months instead of every 6 months.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
He was not entirely sold on the color when I came in the door! But, after I received so many compliments, he was on board with it! He doesn’t really like it when I wear it shorter. In fact, when I wear it shorter, it takes so much more work!
Thanks for visiting, Mireille!
Your hair looks fabulous purple and blue! I love that you experiment and play around with it. How fun!
You did a excellent job capturing the essence of the lady in the painting. Looking beautiful as always.
Have a great week
Oh, it has been every color now except green, I think! My stylist told me having the silver hair to begin with makes it so much easier! But, even she was surprised at the results! I do love it, but I’m OK with it being silver, too!
Oh, thank you so much! I don’t always feel beautiful so it means a lot when someone says that!
I’m loving the purple hair on you honestly. It really warms up your skintone! The story behind this painting is fascinating. I love ready the history of it all!
Thanks, Laura! I would almost like to keep it this color, but I have to wash it in cold water! And, that is not fun! Can you imagine having something like this in your family? I sure wish I did!
Hi, Marsha – Without sticking to colors in the painting, you nailed the look nevertheless. It’s amazing how you reflect the overall feeling of the outfit…even with multi-colored hair! You must have an innate style sense. And your experimentation is very youthful looking. I’m now inspired, as well, to try using my white pieced lace scarf. Like you, I may have only used it once because I never know what to do with it. Thanks – Angie, http://www.yourtrueselfblog.com
Thanks so very much, Angie! I’ve always enjoyed clothes, but no on has ever said I had any style sense so thank you very, very much! I love to experiment with my clothes and see what works, then learn from what hasn’t worked as well!
Do have a try with your white scarf! I’ll bet you come up with some fabulous ways to wear it!
Thanks again for coming by!