Painting Costume Analysis: Pamela Series, Part Three
III: Pamela Fainting, Joseph Highmore, 1743-4; National Gallery of Victoria 1114-3
This painting depicts one of Mr. B's nighttime attempts on Pamela's virtue. He was hidden in the room and waited as Pamela undressed for bed:
(Letter XXV) I pulled off my stays, and my stockings, and all my clothes to an under-petticoat; and then hearing a rustling again in the closet, I said, Heaven protect us! but before I say my prayers, I must look into this closet. And so was going to it slip-shod, when, O dreadful! out rushed my master in a rich silk and silver morning gown.
There is not much to say about Pamela's dress. Her nightclothes are her shift and an underpetticoat, and a cap that ties under the chin. Her sleeves are very full, and it looks like there's something going on at the neckline. Mrs. Jervis is dressed the same way.
Mr. B is wearing clothing of interest, however! His night-cap is grey silk satin, not embroidered or embellished in any way. While the text describes him as wearing a "silk and silver morning gown", Highmore painted him in pink or beige taffeta. His black silk breeches can be seen underneath, as well as his grey silk waistcoat with a wide gold braid. His stockings lack sheen, so they are probably cotton or linen, and over them he's wearing a pair of leather slippers.
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