Day 1 - American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery

Day 1, April 30. On the first day of our epic trip to Washington DC, my fiance and I headed to the American Art Museum and the adjoining National Portrait Gallery. Both museums were gorgeous and filled with beautiful art and fascinating information about historical figures. The American Art Gallery had a few Copley paintings and a great deal of American Indian portraits.

In the National Portrait Gallery, I saw various plaster face molds of Abraham Lincoln. If you compared the mold made before he became president and the one months before he died, you can tell the terribly toll the Civil War had taken on his health by the worry lines all over his face. When I was in fifth grade I was obsessed with Abraham Lincoln because I saw this great movie called Tad, told from the perspective of his little son.

Not my original image, but the Kogod Courtyard in the American Art Museum was impressive:


The marble lady looks like she's wearing draped fabric. Yes, she had a perfectly impossible tummy. -_-




Victorian ladies:




Breath-taking silver!


LaForge stained glass peonie and peacocks


Joan of Arc wood carving - reminds me of Musa.



American women during the federalist/regency period


I have a similar gown!


An award for those of you who read the entire blog entry:

Mr. Willoughby Gets His Comeuppance


from Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters Amazon Book Trailer

Emma Woodhouse and Jane Fairfax

"It's too hot for strawberry picking!" says Emma Woodhouse (Elizabeth) to Harriet Smith (Lanie).


Harriet: "Fortunately, Mr. Knightley's hall is so much cooler. Oh, do you hear someone speaking?"


Officious Mrs. Elton (Ruthie) exclaims to Jane Fairfax (Rebecca): "But this post in Ireland will be very suitable for you. You will make an excellent governess."


"I thank you, but Mrs. Elton, I wish you would not intercede."


Harriet: "Oh, my, Miss Fairfax looks very unhappy. Should we help her?"


Emma: "Oh, there you are Miss Fairfax!"


Without saying a word, Jane runs off. Emma "Oh, she looked upset."


Mrs. Elton: "Those were probably tears of happiness! As she will be taking a post in Ireland and not be a burden to her aunt."


Mrs. Elton: "Mr. E is always saying how considerate I am, always thinking of others first."


Emma: "Indeed."


Emma's peach outfit was made by Vintiquedesigns. Harriet's blue gown was made by Jamiehistoriccostume. The Jane Fairfax gown was made by Terristouch

Jane Fairfax Regency Gown

This dress made by TerrisTouch reminds me of Jane Fairfax in a 1970s production of Emma. The following are from the original Etsy listing.







These are my images:

Jess Spots Mr. Darcy

Mr. Darcy, why are you swimming in the pond? (Averts eyes)

This is a one-of-a-kind outfit made by Dollies' Dressmaker. I got it by Ebay auction for a pretty penny, but it was worth it. When I have time I'll take close ups of the details, especially of the spencer. It's my favorite custom doll outfit. The bonnet has grosgrain bows. The spencer has delicate lace in the back and front. I once posted a photo of this dress as part of my signature in a doll forum, and I got lots of compliments for it.