Figure 1.--This painting by Thomas Gainsburough was of his nephew, Edward Richard Gardiner. It was painted in the 1760s, but depicts 17th Century Cavalier dress. Reportedly he used his nephew to prepare for the famous "Blue Boy" painting. Edward wears the same costume as worn by the boy in "Blue Boy". |
Men and boys in the 17th Century wore elaborate lace and ruffles. In England the Cavalier Era was interupted by the Civil War and the Roundheads (Parlimentarians) who wore large, but plain white collars. These outfits are best remembered by Van Dyk's paintaings. One of the most famous boys pictured in such outfits was the Caveller Boy being questiined by the Round Heads in ????'s When
Did You Last See Your Father. The most famous painting was actually a 18th Century depiction, Gainsbourgh's Blue Boy. Interestingly,
Gainsbourogh first painted his nephew in the blue Van Dyk suit.
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Return to the Main ruffled collar chronology page]
[Return to the Main collar page]
[Introduction]
[Activities]
[Bibliographies]
[Biographies]
[Chronology]
[Clothing styles]
[Contributions]
[Countries]
[FAQs]
[Boys' Clothing Home]