Ensemble
This suit, complete with jacket, bodice, skirt and belt, is an excellent example of fashionable day wear from the turn of the century. In 1905 the stylish silhouette was the S-shaped figure with full sleeves fitted at the wrists and relatively full skirts. The subdued dark brown wool of the jacket, skirt, and belt is a satin weave, creating a luxurious finish; the bodice is made from a remarkably modern looking polychrome chiffon silk.
The couture house of Beer was one of Paris's prestigious firms from around I900 until World War I. In 1905 Beer moved his business to the place Vendôme. This piece, presumably created during his first year at the new address (as the label attests), is a strong example of the German-born dressmaker's ability to create conservative yet luxurious garments for the fashionable woman.
The spiraling surface decoration on the jacket and skirt was clearly influenced by the flowing curves of Art Nouveau. The bodice textile displays elements similar to other contemporary design movements, such as the Wiener Werkstätte. The structure of this ensemble is clearly anchored in the nineteenth century, while the surface decoration and bodice textile announce the era to come.
The couture house of Beer was one of Paris's prestigious firms from around I900 until World War I. In 1905 Beer moved his business to the place Vendôme. This piece, presumably created during his first year at the new address (as the label attests), is a strong example of the German-born dressmaker's ability to create conservative yet luxurious garments for the fashionable woman.
The spiraling surface decoration on the jacket and skirt was clearly influenced by the flowing curves of Art Nouveau. The bodice textile displays elements similar to other contemporary design movements, such as the Wiener Werkstätte. The structure of this ensemble is clearly anchored in the nineteenth century, while the surface decoration and bodice textile announce the era to come.
Artwork Details
- Title: Ensemble
- Design House: Beer (French, ca. 1890–1928)
- Designer: Gustave Beer (French)
- Date: 1904–5
- Culture: French
- Medium: wool, silk
- Credit Line: Gift of Donna Dalton O'Leary, 1999
- Object Number: 1999.135a–e
- Curatorial Department: The Costume Institute
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Beer
Gustave Beer
ca. 1895
Beer
Gustave Beer
ca. 1896
Beer
Gustave Beer
1895–1905
Beer
ca. 1925
Beer
Gustave Beer
1900–1905
Related Content
Publications
Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.
Free to download
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.