Terms and conditions of use
Dress
(c. 1935)
- Medium
- silk, resin and enamel on metal buckle
- Measurements
- (a) 149.0 cm (centre back) 40.0 cm (waist, flat) (dress)
(b) 4.0 × 71.0 cm (belt) - Place/s of Execution
- (England)
- Accession Number
- D258.a-b-1974
- Department
- International Fashion and Textiles
- Credit Line
- National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
The Schofield Collection. Purchased with the assistance of a special grant from the Government of Victoria, 1974
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Professor AGL Shaw AO Bequest - Gallery location
- Not on display
- About this work
-
The Motion Picture Code of 1930, commonly known as the Hays Code, forbade undue exposure of flesh in an effort to shape society’s moral standards. This may be one of the reasons that the deep V-front and back necklines of the 1920s became used exclusively as a back detail on dresses in the 1930s. Steichen’s photographs often highlight the sensuality of women’s backs and the back details of their dresses. Actress Constance Bennett, 1932 shows a deep V framing the sitter’s back.