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Scene from La Marchande des Modes
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Scene from La Marchande des Modes
Scene from Etienne Jouys 1808 play La Marchande des Modes, a parody of La Vestale (his own opera from 1807 with music by Spontini). A despondent Miss Julie, fashion apprentice, is ordered upstairs by Mr de Crepanville while her companions hold a basket of bread and water and sing, Dip your bread, dip your bread Julie, Dip your bread in the clear water. Handcoloured engraving from Pierre de la Mesangeres Le Bon Genre, Paris, 1817. Scene from Etienne Jouys 1808 play La Marchande des Modes, a parody of La Vestale (his own opera from 1807 with music by Spontini). A despondent Miss Julie, fashion apprentice, is ordered upstairs by Mr de Crepanville while her companions hold a basket of bread and water and sing, Dip your bread, dip your bread Julie, Dip your bread in the clear water. Handcoloured engraving from Pierre de la Mesangeres Le Bon Genre, Paris, 1817
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Media ID 23194736
© Florilegius/Mary Evans
Apprentice Bicorn Bonnet Bread Etienne Genre Julie Marchande Mesangere Modes Muslin Opera Parody Pierre Shawl Song Stairs Jouy Miss
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This hand-colored engraving depicts a poignant scene from Etienne Jouy's 1808 play "La Marchande des Modes" (The Merchant of Fashion), a clever parody of his own opera "La Vestale" (The Vestal Virgin) with music by Spontini. In this image, we find Miss Julie, a despondent fashion apprentice, seated on a chair near the stairs, her head bowed in sadness. Mr. de Crepanville, her employer, has summoned her upstairs, leaving her companions to console her with a simple yet heartfelt song. The women, dressed in the latest fashion, hold a basket filled with bread and water, offering it to Miss Julie as they sing, "Dip your bread, dip your bread Julie, Dip your bread in the clear water." The soothing melody, accompanied by the gentle clinking of their bonnets and shawls, creates an atmosphere of comfort and solidarity. Miss Julie's attire, consisting of a muslin dress and a bicorn hat, reflects the elegance and sophistication of the time. The intricate details of her dress, with its delicate floral patterns and the subtle folds of the fabric, are beautifully captured in the hand-coloring. The playful contrast between the seriousness of Miss Julie's situation and the lightheartedness of her companions' song adds depth to this scene. This exquisite print, published by Pierre de la Mesangere in his collection "Le Bon Genre" in 1817, offers a glimpse into the world of 19th-century fashion and the camaraderie among women during times of hardship.
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