Three Gentlemen at the Seashore – Summer 1852

Three men are conversing in a park that overlooks a seaport. The man on the left stands with his back to the viewer in order to show the back of his casually-fitted black lounge coat. He wears slim powder blue trousers and a white shirt with a stiff collar with a cravat. His hair curls around the crown of his head and is cut short above his collar. He wears yellow gloves and carries a black top hat and walking stick. Unlike the other two men he wears no sideburns but does wear a mustache.

The man in the center models the front of the lounge coat in a tan or light camel color. His coat has notched, wide lapels and the turned back cuffs. He wears slim white trousers, a white collared shirt, and a multi-colored cravat. His outfit includes black heeled boots, yellow gloves, and a soft felt hat. His hair is short and his long sideburns are fashionable “mutton-chop” style. The man on the right links arms with his friend and is dressed less casually. He wears gray trousers, a white pleated shirt with stiff collar, a black cravat, and a powder blue waistcoat.

His black jacket is more fitted than the lounge coats and he has a red and white handkerchief in the breast pocket. He wears black heeled boots, yellow gloves, and a black top hat. His short hair curls just underneath his hat and he wears long “mutton-chop” sideburns like his friend. The gentlemen stroll on a walkway that has a light post at the side. Trees are visible behind them, and below in the distance is the sea, with two sailing ships and buildings on the shore.

Credit: The Claremont Colleges