FDA-D.1733-2023
Parts
Object number
FDA-D.1733-2023
Object type
Identification
Title
The Eton Montem
Title Type
assigned by cataloguer
Description
Painted double portrait showing two boys wearing fancy dress costumes; buildings and tree in the distance
Comments
One intriguing aspect of Eton College's history is the Montem, a ceremony during which boys marched to Salt Hill in costume, collecting money from the public. The Montem attracted particular attention for the colourful, elaborate costumes, sense of spectacle and merriment associated with it.
This watercolour by George Sidney Shepherd shows two Eton boys in Montem costume, standing by the Thames near a boat. Eton College can be seen in the distance. It is dated 1829 and detailed enough to offer vital clues to the costumes worn by the two boys depicted, such as the striped socks with green slippers, edged in gold braiding worn by one figure and the elaborately decorated tartan feathered hat of the other.
In her article for the Social History Society, Catherine Dille notes that: ‘…the costume of [the Montem] carnival flourished alongside red regimental dress. Montem costumes, hired from London or bespoke, became increasingly elaborate in line with the Romantic interest in historical costume and the dress of exotic lands.’ [‘The Eton Montem custom c. 1750–1844: privilege, pageantry and sanctioned misrule’, C. Dille, 2018]
This was true of the 1829 Montem, which saw ‘The greater number of [boys wearing] plain scarlet coats, white trousers, cocked hats with drooping feather, and swords; these were called Corporals.’ While others wore fashionable fancy dress, including ‘two as Greek Chiefs; several as Highlanders; and a number of Spanish and other fancy dresses, all of silk velvet, with gold and silver lace trimmings...’
[Source: 'London Courier and Evening Gazette', Wednesday 10 June 1829]
One of the boys depicted is a 'poleman' who carried a long wand and was responsible for keeping up the rear of the procession. 'It was considered a great achievement for a poleman to carry his wand through the day uninjured.' [Source: Tucker, William Hill, 'Eton Memories', 1909, p.100]
Watercolourist and illustrator George Sidney Shepherd was the London-born son of a watchmaker. He exhibited watercolours at the Royal Academy between 1830 and 1837, specialising in landscape views and topographical urban scenes. However, he also painted several scenes on the River Thames, particularly between c.1818 and 1825.
This watercolour by George Sidney Shepherd shows two Eton boys in Montem costume, standing by the Thames near a boat. Eton College can be seen in the distance. It is dated 1829 and detailed enough to offer vital clues to the costumes worn by the two boys depicted, such as the striped socks with green slippers, edged in gold braiding worn by one figure and the elaborately decorated tartan feathered hat of the other.
In her article for the Social History Society, Catherine Dille notes that: ‘…the costume of [the Montem] carnival flourished alongside red regimental dress. Montem costumes, hired from London or bespoke, became increasingly elaborate in line with the Romantic interest in historical costume and the dress of exotic lands.’ [‘The Eton Montem custom c. 1750–1844: privilege, pageantry and sanctioned misrule’, C. Dille, 2018]
This was true of the 1829 Montem, which saw ‘The greater number of [boys wearing] plain scarlet coats, white trousers, cocked hats with drooping feather, and swords; these were called Corporals.’ While others wore fashionable fancy dress, including ‘two as Greek Chiefs; several as Highlanders; and a number of Spanish and other fancy dresses, all of silk velvet, with gold and silver lace trimmings...’
[Source: 'London Courier and Evening Gazette', Wednesday 10 June 1829]
One of the boys depicted is a 'poleman' who carried a long wand and was responsible for keeping up the rear of the procession. 'It was considered a great achievement for a poleman to carry his wand through the day uninjured.' [Source: Tucker, William Hill, 'Eton Memories', 1909, p.100]
Watercolourist and illustrator George Sidney Shepherd was the London-born son of a watchmaker. He exhibited watercolours at the Royal Academy between 1830 and 1837, specialising in landscape views and topographical urban scenes. However, he also painted several scenes on the River Thames, particularly between c.1818 and 1825.
Description
Dimensions
height (frame): 497mm
width (frame): 422mm
height (actual size): 241mm
width (actual size): 284mm
width (frame): 422mm
height (actual size): 241mm
width (actual size): 284mm
Inscription
Signed and dated, lower right: 'Geo. Shepherd. / 1829.'
Material
watercolour
paper
pencil
bodycolour
paper
pencil
bodycolour
Materials & techniques note
Watercolour over pencil, with touches of bodycolour, on paper
Production
Person
Shepherd, George Sidney, 1784 - 1862 (Artist)
Date
1829
History and association
Object history note
Provenance: With Guy Peppiatt Fine Art Ltd. (stock number 2465); from whom purhassed by Eton College in September 2022
