Two Costume Designs or Portrait Types 1785 - 1790

This anonymous watercolor on paper, titled "Two Costume Designs or Portrait Types," depicts two women in fashionable attire from the late 18th century. The work is comprised of two circular compositions, each featuring a woman in a different, elaborate hat and dress. The artist's attention to detail in portraying the women's elaborate costumes is evident, capturing the trends of the period. This work offers a glimpse into the sartorial choices of 18th-century women, particularly their striking and expressive headwear. The design of the hats and the details in the fabric of the dresses can be easily seen thanks to the artist's use of watercolor. The work, now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, stands as a testament to the artistry and fashion of the period.