"The Corset: a Cultural History"

[fiefoe]

It's not that Valerie Steele doesn't have interesting things to say:

• canvas stays were more commonly used (for example, by Alexander Pope);
• In France, depictions of ladies dressing were extremely popular with both aristocratic and bourgeois art lovers. Within this genre, calld la toilette galante, the theme of putting on the corset, the essai du corset, formed a popular and important subcategory.
  

But after one chapter, the images accompanying the text proved to be far more interesting. Focusing on their underwear is to see people in art in an entirely new light. Witness this charming painting of "The Graham Children", or the stylish "Virgin and Child Surrounded by Angels", by Jean Fouquet. ('Hi Agnes, nice to finally meet you!')

Other finds:  Georges Seurat's "Young Woman Powdering Herself", and "Portrait of a Young Woman in White" from circle of Jacques-Louis David
 
Wish you could see:  David Wilkie's 1824 "The Scottish Bedroom", and a vintage trade card for celluloid corsets featuring men in pigtails because they are 'warranted not to rust after washing'.

Prepare yourself, meet "Queen of Hearts", Cathie Jung.