St James’s Park
This copy of an oil painting by Italian artist Marco Ricci (1676–1730), who worked in London c.1709–11 and again later, depicts the elegant tree-lined avenues in St James’s Park, the royal park redesigned by Charles II and opened to the public. Such topographical scenes offer fascinating contemporary detail, including the costumes of people from all walks of life.

The fashions
In this popular royal park, many promenading figures are arrayed in high-fashion middle-class or more formal courtly apparel. The best-dressed ladies still wear the stately ‘open’ mantua gown featuring heavily boned bodice, decorative front ‘petticoat’ and stylised back drapery extending into a train. Their tall fontage or frelange headdress with long lappets tilts forward, a modest black hood-like scarf draped over and secured in front. Accessories also include elbow-length gloves, fans and black masks to protect complexions from the sun.

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