What year is the painting, may I ask? It looks awfully stylized by the artist to me, the exaggerated shape and feel of the skirts being the same on all figures. But I don't see why this couldn't be an "en fourreau" gown, or one cut with a separate bodice if late in the century. The ladies have aprons but one looks like she has a stomacher too. So the gowns could be that popular thing in England of gown and petticoat and trimmings all of one plain fabric....usually with a very wide pannier. Like Gainsborough's "Mr. & Mrs Andrews" . But upon looking at the painting I see it appears Mrs. Andrews has a jacket and petticoat arrangement all in one plain fabric. Interesting. _http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/gainsborough/andrews.jpg_ (http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/gainsborough/andrews.jpg) Then here's "Mary, Countess Howe" all in pink, but without the pannier. _http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/gainsborough/howe.jpg_ (http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/gainsborough/howe.jpg)
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