Skip to main contentAlbumen print - Mrs. Charlotte Lindsay costumed as "A Lady of the Time of Marie Antoinette," Montreal, Quebec, 1881 | McCord Museum 
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Albumen print
Mrs. Charlotte Lindsay costumed as "A Lady of the Time of Marie Antoinette," Montreal, Quebec, 1881
Photography studio
Notman & Sandham
(1877-1882)
SignatureNon signé / Unsigned
Date
1881
Medium / Technique
Silver salts on paper mounted on paper
Albumen process
Albumen process
Dimensions15.2 × 9.5 cm
Origin
Montreal, Quebec, Canada, North America
Object NumberII-60022.1
CollectionMcCord
CreditPurchase, funds graciously donated by Maclean’s magazine, the Maxwell Cummings Family Foundation and Empire-Universal Films Ltd.
NotesExhibition Costume Balls - Dressing Up History, 1870-1927
ROYALTY AND NOBILITY
Most frequently, ball-goers turned to the past for inspiration. European kings and queens held the greatest appeal. If a historical character was not a particular earl, duchess, or the like, it was usually described as being of the period or court of a named monarch. Guidebooks recommended striving for accuracy, allowing concessions for attractiveness only when absolutely warranted. Nonetheless, these renderings are full of anachronisms.
A Lady of the Time of Marie Antoinette
At least one incarnation of Marie Antoinette appeared at almost every costume ball. Yet this garment hardly suggests the 18th century! It has been made over from an earlier evening dress, a common practice. The front, from the 1870s, appears barely modified, and the back half is a loose, crudely constructed replacement. Charlotte Lindsay’s powdered hairstyle, topped by an aigrette, was slightly more in tune with Marie Antoinette’s time.
ROYALTY AND NOBILITY
Most frequently, ball-goers turned to the past for inspiration. European kings and queens held the greatest appeal. If a historical character was not a particular earl, duchess, or the like, it was usually described as being of the period or court of a named monarch. Guidebooks recommended striving for accuracy, allowing concessions for attractiveness only when absolutely warranted. Nonetheless, these renderings are full of anachronisms.
A Lady of the Time of Marie Antoinette
At least one incarnation of Marie Antoinette appeared at almost every costume ball. Yet this garment hardly suggests the 18th century! It has been made over from an earlier evening dress, a common practice. The front, from the 1870s, appears barely modified, and the back half is a loose, crudely constructed replacement. Charlotte Lindsay’s powdered hairstyle, topped by an aigrette, was slightly more in tune with Marie Antoinette’s time.
Status
Not on viewInformation about the objects in our collection is updated to reflect new research findings. If you have any information to share regarding this object, please email reference.mccord@mccord-stewart.ca.Information about rights and reproductions is available here.
Mrs. Robert A. Lindsay as "Lady of the Time of Marie Antoinette," Montreal, QC, 1881
Notman & Sandham
1881/02/26
II-60023.1
Mr. Robert A. Lindsay costumed as “A Courtier, Reign of George II,” Montreal, Quebec, 1881
Notman & Sandham
1881
II-60149.1
Mrs. Marie Berthe-Adeline Harwood (née Masson), wife of Louis de Lotbinière Harwood, costumed as "The Marquise de Lotbinière (Louise Chaussegros de Lery)" in the Lemoyne de Longueuil Family group at the Historical Fancy Dress Ball, Montreal, Quebec, 1898
Wm. Notman & Son
1898
II-122936
Mrs. Lottie Sherwood Hamilton’s son costumed in 16th-century costume and daughter as “Cherry Ripe,” Montreal, Quebec, 1881
Notman & Sandham
1881
II-60670.1
First sign permit issued by the Quebec City court (Prévôté) to Marie Charlotte Guillemin
December 11, 1757
S001/C1.4,3.2
Fourth and final sign permit issued by the Quebec City court (Prévôté) to Marie Charlotte Guillemin
January 15, 1758
S001/C1.4,3.5
Third sign permit issued by the Quebec City court (Prévôté) to Marie Charlotte Guillemin
January 8, 1758
S001/C1.4,3.4
Second sign permit issued by the Quebec City court (Prévôté) to Marie Charlotte Guillemin
December 18, 1757
S001/C1.4,3.3
Auction permit issued by the Quebec City court (Prévôté) to Marie Charlotte Guillemin for the house on Notre Dame Street
December 13, 1757
S001/C1.4,3.7
Decision of the Quebec City court (Prévôté) regarding the procés-verbal between Marie Charlotte Guillemin and Louis Dupont Duchambon de Vergor
December 13, 1757
S001/C1.4,3.11
This project is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Azrieli Foundation and Canadian Heritage.