Assemblage Art Dress – Northanger Abbey

So, the first assemblage art dress I’ve created using my new materials, is a homage to Jane Austen and the first of her novels completed for publication – Northanger Abbey. This wasn’t the first novel Jane Austen wrote; the better known Jane Austen novels – Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice, were written and published before Northanger Abbey was published in December 1817. In fact Northanger Abbey was published posthumously, Jane Austen dying in July 1817.

Catherine Morland (Northanger Abbey )

Northanger Abbey, follows seventeen-year-old Gothic novel aficionado Catherine Morland, who having read about Northanger Abbey in Ann Radcliffe’s Gothic novel The Mysteries of Udolpho, finds herself invited to visit. Northanger Abbey is the family home of Henry Tilney: A well-read clergyman in his mid-20s, the younger son of the wealthy Tilney and the romantic interest of Catherine Morland the lead female character.

Catherine Morland (Northanger Abbey )

Whilst making this piece I’ve been listening to the life story of Jane Austen on Radio 4, this wasn’t planned just a coincidence but a very nice one.  I’ve painted the background of this piece to look very Gothic to go with the novel.  The dress, created as for Catherine Morland, is made from some of my newly purchased satins and her coat is a beautiful taffeta which is a wonderful shade of blue/green.  I’m sure I’ll be using Jane Austen as an inspiration for quite a while yet.  She was a most amazing person.

If you would like to purchase any of my assemblage art work, please visit our Our Etsy Shop. Our Etsy shop has several other assemblage art pieces for sale, we hope you enjoy viewing them. If you have any queries about this piece or any of the other pieces in our Etsy shop or, would like further information about Messie Jessie, please feel free to contact us via a “convo” through our Etsy shop or via e-mail at info@messiejessie.co.uk .