Morning journal and courier., 1883-03-29
Painted Dresses.
Descriptions of Some Ladies' Gowns With Novel Artistic Decorations.
 From the New York Sunl

With Novel Artistic Decorations.
 IFrom the New York Sum- 1 Although ladies have appeared at many public balls and parties this season with painted dresses of novel and exquisite pat 1 tern, the fashion does not appear to be spreading as rapidly as was expected several years ago, when it first became prominent in this country. It was asserted at first that by the aid of painting all the effect of the most delicate embroidery could be secured, with much brighter and more durable coiors, and at less expense. The groundwork of silk, satin or velvet has furnished opportunity for many beautiful designs, and some effects have been produced that could not have been attained in embroidery without enor- nous cost. Some of the ladies complain, however, that the painting is not so durable as embroidery, and requires greater care to prevent destruction by cracking. The parts of the dress usually ornamented by painting have generally been the large, smooth sur faces, which are not easily wrinkled; but it IS admitted that the wearer of a painted dress, if she wishes to preserve it's beauty, must be very careful person indeed.
 Among the earliest painted dresses to at tract attention in this city were several which were worn by Miss Fanny Davenport Since then many actresses have worn painted dresses, generally the work of artist friends Mary Anderson has had number of painted costumes. One of black velvet and white satin, having the appearance of embossing, was painted for her by Miss Louise Brudic, of Syracuse. Miss Cora Tanner, who recent ly appeared in "Odette' at the Park Theatre, Brooklyn, had two painted dresses which at | tracted attention. One was 8 train dress made up without lace, of blue satin on which were painted scarlet peoples, golden rod, 1 cat-tails, and wild leaves that covered the en- | tire front. The second dress was a pink su- rah satin with painted panels, on which were | one large bunch of peonies, the bough of an | old tree, and two large bluebirds. They were painted by Miss Georgie Lamson, of Brooklyn. Miss Rosa Keene, who played Dora in the Planters Wife, had black velvet dress painted in the same manner by Miss Lamson. Miss Laura Don has worn several stage dresses painted by herself in l water colors One was painted on the back l of the waist, and the other on the lower part l of the skirt. Most painted dresses, how | ever, have been done in oil, as water coIors 1 have been found to fade. Artists claim that I the embroidery work lacks accuracy both of l form and color, and is altogether inadequate ' to give the delicate tints the proper shades | or the finely turned curves of vines and ten | drils.
 ! One of the opera companies playing "Pa- I tience" had a set of costumes painted by Vallier. Miss Leonora Bradley, of the Rob son and Crane troupe, appeared in Brooklyn recently with notable painted dress. It
 
 square cut waist, and lace sleeves. The or naments painted on the skirt by Miss Fanny Clare, of Brooklyn, were red lilies, red and yellow wild flowers, butterflies and birds. Under the brilliant light of the theatre the effect was very striking. Miss Rose Coghlan and Miss Emily Rigl have variety of paint ed dresses in their wardrobes. Miss Sadie Bigelow, of Robson and Cranes troupe, has worn yellow satin dress, painted with scar let lilies, roses and morning glories by Miss Fanny Glare, of Brooklyn. Miss Lillian Vane has worn 8 painted white satin dress. Miss Belle Melleville who Is now playing in the ''Shan Rhue,' has some dresses delicstely painted by Miss Amy Stocking, of Brooklyn
 Among the artists MT. Hicks has painted a dress for his wife, which she wore at the So. rosis reception last winter. MT. Harry Fenn has painted several dresses for his daughter. Griswold painted for herself princess train party dress, with panels in place of over skirt. On the panels were blackberry vines shaded in autumn tones. There was recent ly on exhibition at the rooms of theatrical modiste in Fifth avenue, near Seventeenth street, an elegantly painted evening costume. The corsage was of ruby Lyons silk velvet, decolIettee, pointed back and front. The neck and sleeves were trimmed with antique lace representing roses and buds hand painted in delicate tints. The skirt was of navy sat- in Duchesse, narrow pufdng of the velvet sho wing out from underneath the skirt, with full ruching of lace to match neck and sleeves. The panel on the right side was painted to correspond with the rest of the dress. Two paniers, one falling over the other from right to left, were edged with painted lace and fastened to the center of the train with loops and ends caught with silver buckles At the Arion ball this year lady wore a dress, the painting alone on which was said to have cost g., ,000.