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Title
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She was glad to leave him and look around her
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Description
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Here we see Emma standing outside Donwell Abbey, Mr. Knightley’s home. In the background of this image, we see the stately home, that Mr. Knightley opened to the party led by Mrs. Elton. Mr. Knightley rarely had guests, but willingly opened his house so that his friends could admire its art and architecture at the insistence of Mrs. Elton. Emma stands outside in the gardens, holding in her hands some flowers she had picked. This scene occurs in chapter 14, on page 150 in the second volume. The characters are shown in the traditional regency style, with Emma wearing the regency style dress with an empire waist. Her hair is worn tied up, as was tradition for women after their coming out before the queen, signaling her entrance into society. She wears a bonnet to protect her face from the sun. Bonnets were a popular accessory at this time because going for walks was a common pastime, and pale skin was believed to be the most fashionable as a means of indicating a woman’s status in the upper class, who did not have to perform outdoor labour. The regency period dated to the early nineteenth century (1811-1820) when George, Prince of Wales, later George IV (r. 1820-1830), reigned as regent for his mentally ill father, King George III (r. 1760-1820). The Prince of Wales was a fan of Austen’s work, and she dedicates the novel to him. The regency period is associated with the rise of neoclassicism in art and fashion.
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Image Creator
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Edmund H. Garrett (engraver)
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Identifier
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mta:25759
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Source Name
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Emma
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Image
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