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Roman Citizens, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
Roman Citizens, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'

Roman Citizens, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'

Artist (Alloa, Scotland, 1744 - 1796)
Date1776
Mediumpen, ink and watercolour on paper
ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings
Dimensions33.2 x 26.5 x 3.2cm
AcquisitionPurchased in 1986 with assistance from the National Fund for Acquisitions and the National Art Collections Fund.
CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDAG007557.58
About MeThis album of watercolour drawings of traditional costume was compiled by Scottish artist David Allan when he was travelling through France and Italy between 1770-1776. However, the sixty-one watercolours are not merely records of costumes. Rather, they are small genre scenes with figures set in streets or landscapes and were painted in Rome, Florence, Naples and several other places that Allan visited on his European tour. The well-known art critic Brian Sewell, has described this album as "witty, mischievous and frankly pretty". The colours are in pristine condition and give a delightful glimpse of the lighter side of the Grand Tour.
In 18th- and 19th-century Italy, the 'cicisbeo' was the professed gallant and lover of a married woman, who attended her at public entertainments, to church and other occasions and had privileged access to his mistress. The first recorded usage of the term in English is found in a letter by Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, dated 1718.
More About Me

The men's knee breeches seem a more sensible choice than the woman's long dress and trailing coat for the often filthy streets of a city.

Roman Princess, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
Roman Princess, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
David Allan
1776
Shepherd Boy Procida, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
Shepherd Boy Procida, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
David Allan
1776
An Album Entitled 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature' by David Allan
Frontispiece, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
David Allan
1776
Index page, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
Index page, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
David Allan
1776
Two Girls of Procida - Island Near Naples, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
Two Girls of Procida - Island Near Naples, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
David Allan
1776
Married Woman of Procida, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
Married Woman of Procida, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
David Allan
1776
A Man of Procida, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
A Man of Procida, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
David Allan
1776
A Nurse of Procida, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
A Nurse of Procida, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
David Allan
1776
A Widow Woman of Procida, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
A Widow Woman of Procida, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
David Allan
1776
Maid of Procida, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
Maid of Procida, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
David Allan
1776
Charity of Procida, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
Charity of Procida, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
David Allan
1776
Little Girl of Procida, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
Little Girl of Procida, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
David Allan
1776
Little Girl and Child Procida, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
Little Girl and Child Procida, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
David Allan
1776
Saturdays Head Dress of Procida, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
Saturdays Head Dress of Procida, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
David Allan
1776
Old Man of Procida, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
Old Man of Procida, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
David Allan
1776
Spinner of Procida , leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
Spinner of Procida , leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
David Allan
1776
Limon Cryer of Naples, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
Limon Cryer of Naples, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
David Allan
1776
Neapolitan Family, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
Neapolitan Family, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
David Allan
1776
Puppet Show at Naples, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
Puppet Show at Naples, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
David Allan
1776
Lady of Greece, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
Lady of Greece, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
David Allan
1776
Bochinese Venice, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
Bochinese Venice, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
David Allan
1776
Italian Fisherman, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
Italian Fisherman, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
David Allan
1776
Woman of Nettuno, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
Woman of Nettuno, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
David Allan
1776
French Girl, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
French Girl, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
David Allan
1776