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Quadrille Francaise

August Erik Mannerheim

From the collection of Helsinki City Museum

Cummerbund

Dominant colour

Quadrille Francaise is a work by August Erik Mannerheim, depicting Cummerbund, held at Helsinki City Museum.

Who painted this?: August Erik Mannerheim
Where can I see it?: Helsinki City Museum

About this work

This sketch shows six people dressed in fancy 19th-century clothes, standing in pairs. The men wear suits and military-style jackets with bright sashes, while the women have big dresses in pastel colors with ruffles and flowers in their hair. The background is simple, with just a hint of a stage or floor. One man’s jacket has a red sash tied around his waist—this is called a *cummerbund*. The drawing looks loose and quick, like it was made fast to capture the moment. Next, check out how this *cummerbund* was used in formal wear.