Artwork
The Bridesmaid
The Bridesmaid is a print by the Impressionist artist George Baxter. It dates from 1855 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
This print shows a young woman in wedding-day dress from 1855. She wears a cape with tassel-trimmed hood and carries a matching flower posy. The colors link her outfit and bouquet, a detail the Victorians loved.
It’s a snapshot of mid-1800s wedding rules. Advice books buzzed about dress and etiquette—this image captures both in one scene.
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Overview
This 1855 print depicts a solitary young woman dressed as a bridesmaid on a wedding day, capturing the Victorian era's attention to dress and etiquette through her attire and accessories.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, likely a younger relative or friend of the bride, is shown on the cusp of departing, her pose conveying anticipation. Her solo portrayal may cater to the popularity of images of solitary female figures during this period.
Technique & Style
The print showcases a bridesmaid's outfit with meticulous detail: a cape (possibly a burnouse) with passementerie tassel-trimmed hood, and a matching flower posy, highlighting the Victorian preference for coordinated color schemes in wedding attire.
History & Provenance
Created in 1855, the work reflects the era's preoccupation with wedding etiquette as discussed in contemporary advice books and magazines. The specific provenance of the print is not detailed here.
Context
Victorian wedding customs are encapsulated in the image: the tradition of bridesmaids carrying posies (often a gift from the bridegroom) and the typical choice of white for the bride's dress, which this bridesmaid's outfit complements without overshadowing.
Artist & collection
Artist
George Baxter (1804–1867) was an English artist and printer based in London. He is credited with the invention of commercially viable colour printing. Though colour printing had been developed in China centuries before,…
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