Fashionable

By exhibiting both period paintings and garments, the exhibition À la mode. The Art of Appearance in the ^18th Century reveals for the first time the interplay of influences between Enlightenment painters and fashion designers.

In the ^18th century, the birth of fashion was primarily associated with new skills and specialist publications and was an indicator of fast-growing change in society. Painters and fashion producers were vying with each other to reach new heights of creativity, weavers excelled, and French elegance showcased by the aristocracy and the upper echelons of the urban bourgeoisie extended its reach to all the courts and cities of Europe. This marked the birth of fashion as we know it today.

During this period, painting was the only available medium for having one’s portrait made and as much thought went into presentation and garments as to one’s pose. Paintings were used to showcase oneself to others in a form of 18^th century Instagram.

The exhibition brings together in a modern and stylishly designed setting some 200 outstanding works and objects from major museums. The Palais Galliera, musée de la Mode de Paris has lent incredible and rare period garments to the Musée d’arts, the Palace of Versailles has loaned masterpieces usually exhibited at the Petit Trianon or in rooms at the Palace, and the Château, d’Écouen has contributed precious gloves, lace, boxes, and bottles.

The exhibition tour will be divided into four distinct sections:

1. Fashion phenomena: The first section of the exhibition focuses on showing how fashion phenomena gained momentum in painting and garments alike.
2. Painters and the fashion: Section Two shows painters as players in fashioning fashion and as true ancestors of couturiers and fashion designers.
3. Artists' fantasies: Section Three explores the connections between imaginary pictorial worlds and the iconic garments which they inspired.
4. A history of “négligé-déshabillé” style: The last section takes an innovative look at the growing trend for informality in male and female garments.

The fashion boutique

Located at the heart of the exhibition, a workshop area offers children and adults alike the chance to explore further, in a playful way. Three mediation systems have been devised:

• The first area recreates the atmosphere of the fashion merchant's office. The public can discover fabric samples, some of which were used by the Angers-Nantes Opéra costume workshop to design a magnificent French-style dress.
• A frieze showing the different layers of clothing illustrates the complexity of ^18th-century ladies' attire.
• A series of amusing passe-têtes, designed by photographer Paquito Couet, show how we would look dressed in ^18th-century fashion! Throughout the exhibition, families will be able to discover a special itinerary specifically designed for them. Children's labels present the different outfits: French dress, English dress, robe... which will no longer hold any secrets for you!

Behind the scenes

Take a behind-the-scenes look at this exhibition-event.
With the impressive work of the technical teams, collections management, Nantes Métropole's maintenance and workshops department, restorers, lending museum curators, public services... From the installation of the scenography to the hanging of the works, not forgetting the restoration and care of the garments featured in the exhibition.

At the heart of the exhibition with Adeline Collange-Perugi

Adeline Collange-Perugi, curator in charge of the museum's early art collections and co-curator, presents À la mode. The art of appearing in the ^18th century, including masterpieces and favorites.

The #Alamode tutorials

With Fanny Wilk from the blog Temps d'élégance, learn how to do your hair and makeup 18th-century style, with everything you have today!

1- ^18th century make-up

2- ^18th century hairstyle

Angers Nantes Opéra's stage dress

Discover the entire process of creating and manufacturing the stage dress presented in the exhibition À la mode. The Art of Appearance in the ^18th Century. Until the concert given on December 9, 2021 at the Musée d'arts de Nantes, where the dress was worn by soloist Marie-Bénédicte Souquet.

Whale Paper Project

As part of the Connivencesproject, initiated by the City of Nantes in 2019 with the aim of strengthening cooperation between major cultural facilities and Nantes' neighborhoods, the Musée d'arts de Nantes and Angers Nantes Opéra have been working with the Nantes Sud neighborhood since 2020.

Catalog published for the exhibition À la mode. L'art de paraître au ^18e siècle, presented at the museum from November 26, 2021 to March 6, 2022.

Available for consultation at the museum library and on sale at the museum bookshop-boutique.

All museum publications

Books selected by the museum library

The museum library has prepared a selection of books to accompany the exhibition À la mode. The Art of Appearance in the ^18th Century. You can consult them at the library by appointment.