It's July and many of us may be dreaming about having a relaxing holiday, maybe in a seaside resort. For those who may not be able to go on holiday at the moment or who live far away from the sea, there is a meager consolation - getting inspired by artworks featuring the sea that may also have some connections with fashion. An example? "Luna di miele" (Honeymoon, 1885) by Italian painter Vittorio Matteo Corcos (1859-1933).
Better known for his portrait of Elena Vecchi ("Dreams"), an innovative painting and a symbol of the Belle Époque, Corcos had a passion for portraying in detail the clothes donned by his finely dressed sitters. In "Honeymoon" a couple is resting on a bench on the beach; behind the two lovers, there are two boats and the sea.
Fashion-wise, the most striking details are not reserved to the woman's costume, but to the suit donned by the man: while the ivory trousers may not be so interesting, ocean and pale blue prevail in the rest of the garments and Corcos created ingenious contrasts with a veritable riot of stripes. The man's jacket is characterised by vertical ocean blue and black stripes contrasting with the horizontal sky blue and white stripes of the shirt and the pale blue tie with polka dots. Last but not least, take a look also at the man's shoes: rather than featuring a striped motif, they are made with geometrical inserts of blue on caramel brown leather (and they contrast with the white and caramel striped socks). The result is simply fabulous.
The painting is currently on display at an exhibition dedicated to the magic of the sea entitled "Mare: Mito, Storia, Natura. Arte italiana 1860 - 1940 (Sea: Myth, History, Nature. Italian Art 1860 - 1940; until 30th October) at Carrara's Palazzo Cucchiari. The event explores the sea as a place of discoveries or as the ideal space to relax and dream and, for those who love art and fashion, the exhibition also features a section dedicated to avant-garde painters and designers Thayaht (whose 1920s illustrations for beachwear designs remain iconic) and RAM.
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