Artwork
Habit de petit-deuil gris
Habit de petit-deuil gris is an unspecified work on paper by the Rococo painting artist Pierre Thomas Le Clerc ou Leclerc. It dates from 1781 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.
About this work
Overview
Pierre Thomas Le Clerc ou Leclerc's 1781 work, Habit de petit-deuil gris, is a watercolor drawing housed at the Museum of Ethnography. It depicts a man in 18th-century attire, characterized by a light gray coat with dark floral patterns, a tall black hat, and plain shoes, set against a simple landscape background.
Subject & Meaning
The subject wears a 'habit de petit-deuil gris', or gray half-mourning suit, indicating attire for formal occasions following the death of a close relative. The man's pose, with one hand on his hip and the other holding a folded paper, suggests a contemplative or informal moment amidst formal dress.
Technique & Style
Executed in watercolor, the piece features soft, sketchy qualities inherent to the medium, with thin layers of paint used to achieve the subtle, muted tones of the gray coat and the naturalistic background elements.
History & Provenance
Created in 1781 by Pierre Thomas Le Clerc ou Leclerc, the work is currently part of the collection at the Museum of Ethnography.
Context
The artwork provides insight into 18th-century French funeral etiquette and formal wear, highlighting the specific traditions surrounding 'petit-deuil' (half-mourning) attire.
Artist & collection
Artist
Pierre Thomas Le Clerc ou Leclerc
Pierre Thomas Le Clerc made delicate 18th-century watercolors of men’s and women’s fashions, recording the exact cut and trim of coats, waistcoats and robes in minute detail.
Museum
Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris
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