Fatima Robe and Three Bonnets – Winter 1798

A woman and two busts are pictured in fashions for October 1799. The bust in the upper left corner wears a simple, white gathered bonnet, and a white fichu around her neck with a white daisy on the right shoulder. The woman in the middle plays the harpsichord. She wears a light blue band of cloth and a garland of red flowers in her hair and a red red bead necklace. Her overdress is light blue with elbow-length sleeves. The sleeves are buttoned at intervals down the side so that white from underneath shows through. The sleeves have a white ruffle at the cuffs.

The overdress opens down the front to reveal a white underdress. Lace trims the center opening of the blue dress, which appears to be short. The white skirt of the underdress is floor length with a small train. She wears white shoes. She sits on a wooden chair with zigzag designs on the side panels of the seat, and a deep red cushion. The harpsichord is the same color wood as the chair and the sheet music is open and displayed for her to read. The bust in the top right hand corner wears a red and black cap, a red beaded necklace, and a white fichu around her neck.

Credit: The Claremont Colleges