In the summer of 1907, Joaquín Sorolla moved with his entire family to La Granja de San Ildefonso, where he had been commissioned to paint a portrait of King Alfonso XIII. During this stay, Sorolla also captured a portrait of his wife, Clotilde, dressed in the latest Parisian Belle Époque fashions, as she leisurely strolled through the palace gardens.
She is dressed in the height of Parisian couture. Her large, wide-rimmed picture hat is a true Parisian signature, framing her face with dramatic elegance. Unlike the extravagant hats trimmed with exotic plumes such as osprey (which later became controversial and restricted), hers is more restrained, perhaps decorated with dyed ostrich feather, the fashionable but acceptable choice of the time. The silhouette and scale of the hat suggest the influence of Paul Poiret, Paris’s leading milliner and couturier, who made oversized hats the height of sophistication.
Her outerwear is a dark walking coat, left open to reveal the freshness of her white ensemble beneath. Parisian outerwear often had a cape-like fluidity, combining drama with ease, and her coat’s generously cut sleeves allow freedom of movement, ideal for a promenade.
She wears long white gloves, an essential social requirement in Parisian high fashion, particularly for promenades and garden outings. Her blouse has a high, fitted collar in white, the hallmark of chic Parisian daywear. Soft ruffles and delicate pleats recall the designs of Maison Worth, Paquin, and Doucet, houses renowned for their refinement and feminine detail. The high collar adds vertical elegance, reflecting the Parisian taste for an elongated silhouette. While daywear required modesty with covered necklines, evening gowns of the Belle Époque often plunged dramatically.
Her skirt is long, white, and full, flaring with fluidity and grace. Its cut reflects the sinuous S-curve silhouette so prized at the turn of the century, emphasizing both elegance and femininity. The pristine whiteness of her attire conveys freshness and leisure, a fashionable luxury in itself, since such garments could only be worn by those free from practical concerns.
Enjoy Karla xx
