Costumed models bring European Masterpieces to life

 

Paintings in ‘European Masterpieces from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York’ come to life with live artwork recreations by costumed models daily in The Studio ― located within the exhibition at the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA). Draw using the materials supplied to create your own masterpiece, taking inspiration from the models and their surroundings.

The costumes were designed and created by Brisbane fashion duo Bulley Bulley who recently worked on Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis Presley biopic. Kiara and Bianca Bulley are experienced historical costume designers and researched European art and fashion to create the garments over a four-month period. They spent time talking through the fit and appropriate movement of the garments with the models, as well as the historic context of the gowns styling.

Kiara and Bianca Bulley at a fitting session with the model

The elaborate replica costumes were chosen and styled from three works within the exhibition — Johannes Vermeer’s Allegory of the Catholic Faith c.1670-72; Jean-Baptiste Greuze’s Broken Eggs 1756; and Marie Denise Villers’ Marie Joséphine Charlotte du Val D’Ognes (died 1868) 1801 — as they highlight the change in fashion across the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, becoming a social marker of their time. Each costume features intricate details such as corsetry, voluminous draped material, satin ribbons, and embellishments which are ideal features to draw.

LIST OF WORKS: Discover all the artworks

DELVE DEEPER: More about the artists and exhibition

THE STUDIO: Artworks come to life

WATCH: The Met Curators highlight their favourite works

17th century: ‘Allegory of the Catholic Faith’ c.1670–72

Costume in production for Johannes Vermeer’s Allegory of the Catholic Faith c.1670–72
Johannes Vermeer’s Allegory of the Catholic Faith c.1670–72 brought to life
Johannes Vermeer, The Netherlands 1632–75 / Allegory of the Catholic Faith c.1670–72 / Oil on canvas / 114.3 x 88.9cm / The Friedsam Collection, Bequest of Michael Friedsam, 1931 / 32.100.18 / Collection: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

18th century: ‘Broken Eggs’ 1756

Jean-Baptiste Greuze’s Broken Eggs 1756 brought to life
Jean-Baptiste Greuze, France 1725–1805 / Broken Eggs 1756 / Oil on canvas / 73 x 94cm / Bequest of William K Vanderbilt, 1920 / 20.155.8 / Collection: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

19th century: ‘Marie Joséphine Charlotte du Val d’Ognes (died 1868)’ 1801

Costume in production for Marie Denise Villers’s Marie Joséphine Charlotte du Val d’Ognes (died 1868) 1801
Marie Denise Villers’s Marie Joséphine Charlotte du Val d’Ognes (died 1868) 1801 brought to life
Marie Denise Villers, France 1774–1821 / Marie Joséphine Charlotte du Val d’Ognes (died 1868) 1801 / Oil on canvas / 161.3 x 128.6cm / Mr and Mrs Isaac D Fletcher Collection, Bequest of Isaac D Fletcher, 1917 / 17.120.204 / Collection: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

18th century: ‘Comtesse de la Châtre (Marie Charlotte Louise Perrette Aglaé Bontemps, 1762–1848)’ 1789

A hat created by Sydney-based milliner Bronwyn Shooks whose work has appeared across theatre, film and television, most recently the Australian production of Hamilton — is based on one worn by Comtesse de la Châtre (Marie Charlotte Louise Perrette Aglaé Bontemps, 1762–1848) painted by Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun in 1789.

The silk on the bow and brim edge was custom dyed to match the original tones in the portrait with the hat made of natural straw.

If you’re fascinated by historical costumes and accessories, these replicas entice you to pick up a pencil and draw whether you’re a beginner or an advanced artist.

A hat based on one worn by Comtesse de la Châtre (Marie Charlotte Louise Perrette Aglaé Bontemps, 1762–1848) painted by Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun in 1789
Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun, France 1755–1842 / Comtesse de la Châtre (Marie Charlotte Louise Perrette Aglaé Bontemps, 1762–1848) 1789 / Oil on canvas / 114.3 x 87.6cm / Gift of Jessie Woolworth Donahue, 1954 / 54.182 / Collection: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Watch our time-lapse as The Studio comes to life

This Australian-exclusive exhibition was at the Gallery of Modern Art from 12 June until 17 October 2021 and organised by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, in collaboration with the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art and Art Exhibitions Australia.

Featured image: Johannes Vermeer’s Allegory of the Catholic Faith c.1670–72 brought to life
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