The Pursuit of Truth: Dress and Textiles in the work of Jean-Etienne Liotard
Friday 6 November 2015 6.30 - 7.30pm
The Reynolds Room, Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts
£16 (includes exhibition entry). £12 (event only). Reductions available.
Jean-Etienne Liotard
Dress historian Aileen Ribeiro examines the depiction of textiles and clothing in his work, and is joined by MaryAnne Stevens, co-curator of the exhibition, to discuss the different ways in which artists ‘see’ clothes in art.
Artists have depicted dress in a variety of ways in their work. Some revel in the technical expertise through which the meticulous portrayal of clothing can be achieved, others prefer to follow the general lines of fashion rather than show the minutiae of dress. At times (and the 18th century was one), when it was felt that too faithful a rendition of clothes might detract from character and intellect in a portrait, artists have even invented costume in order to create images that were supposedly timeless. Artists can rarely be relied on for complete accuracy in their depiction of clothing, and many choose their own versions of reality via processes of selection and emphasis.
Jean-Etienne Liotard was an artist deeply concerned with truth in his art, depicting the reality of plain men and women as well as those with more appealing features. A search for truth led him to recognise that clothing, along with likeness, are crucial elements in portraiture, and will, if painted with intelligence and perception, underscore character and stand the test of time. The 18th century – the last period when elite men and women were equally splendid and colourful in their clothes – was famous for the quality of fabrics, such as sumptuous velvets, glossy damasks, rich brocaded silks, fine furs and delicate silks, all of which Liotard paints, both in Europe and the Orient. What makes Liotard one of the great artists of his time is the intensity with which he portrays clothing (to some extent anticipating the work of Ingres in the following century), and which is so evident in the exhibition.
All tickets include a drink.