Time is fleeting to see the Benton Museum’s exhibitions of New England Dresses from 1850-1900 and Classical Mythology in Modern and Contemporary Art
Storrs, CT, February 23, 2012—March 11th is the last day to see the William Benton Museum of Art’s exhibitions of late 19th century dresses from New England, classical mythology in modern and contemporary art, and thematic selections of art from the 16th to the 21st centuries. Gallery hours are Tuesday-Friday 10-4:30, Saturday and Sunday 1-4:30. Admission is free.
The dress pictured here is from 1880, donated to the University of Connecticut Clothing and Textile Collection in 1974 by Mrs. Fitch Cheney. The cranberry brocade fabric is from the Cheney silk mills in Manchester made on a Jacquard loom. The bodice is typical of the period with its long peplum coming to a point in the center front and forming a beautifully draped fish tail at the back to go over a bustle. The vertical knife-tuck pleats in the center front are wider at the bust and narrower at the waist to create the illusion of a slim waistline. The skirt is a simple maroon silk taffeta with large soft folded pleats in the front and cartridge pleating at the back to accommodate the bustle.
The William Benton Museum of Art is located at 245 Glenbrook Road on the Storrs campus of the University of Connecticut. 860.486.4520. www.thebenton.org. www.facebook.com/benton.museum.