Costume Archives

Woman In White (c. 1880)

Raimundo de Madrazo y Garreta (Spanish, 1841–1920)

A woman in a flowing white dress stands poised, the fabric catching the light. Her gaze holds quiet confidence, the folds of her gown suggesting movement frozen in time. The contrast of crisp white against the muted background draws the eye, leaving an impression of effortless elegance.
A Lady In Brown (1920)

Sir John Lavery (Irish, 1856–1941)

A woman in a brown dress gazes past the frame, her expression unreadable. Soft brushstrokes blur the background, pulling focus to the quiet intensity in her eyes. The folds of her dress catch the light, hinting at movement just paused. There’s a story here, half-told.
Dame in Gelb (1899)

Max Kurzweil (Austrian, 1867–1916)

A woman in a luminous yellow dress turns slightly, her face half-hidden. The brushstrokes blur the background into softness, making her the only sharp point in a world of whispers. That dress glows like sunlight through stained glass—bold against the muted tones around her.
The Flamenco Dancer

Leopold Schmutzler (German, unknown)

A swirl of crimson skirts, the sharp click of heels—the flamenco dancer holds the air taut between her fingers. Her shadow stretches long against the floor, caught mid-turn, every fold of fabric alive with motion. The room hums with the silent rhythm of her stance, poised between passion and precision.
Girl in White (1890)

Vincent van Gogh (Dutch, 1853–1890)

A young woman stands in a white dress, her gaze steady yet distant. The brushstrokes swirl around her, alive with movement, as if the air itself trembles with unspoken emotion. Her stillness anchors the scene—a quiet figure amid the vibrant chaos of color and light.
Young Woman in Black (1902)

Robert Henri (American, 1865–1929)

A woman in a black dress meets your gaze, her expression unreadable. The dark fabric contrasts sharply with her pale skin, drawing you into the quiet intensity of her presence. There’s a story in her stillness, but she isn’t telling—yet.
Portrait Of A Young Girl In A Pink And White Smock Dress (1886)

Arthur Dampier May (English, unknown)

A young girl stands solemn in her pink and white smock, the fabric crisp against her stillness. Her gaze holds something unspoken, a quiet tension between childhood innocence and the weight of growing up. The dress, too bright for such a serious face, makes you wonder what she’s holding back.
La Carmencita (1890)

John Singer Sargent (American, 1856-1925)

A woman in a black dress holds a fan, her stance poised yet alive. The fabric swirls around her, dark and fluid, while her gaze meets the viewer with quiet confidence. The fan, half-opened, hints at motion frozen in time—a breath before the next graceful movement.