Metropolitan Museum of Art Explores 19th-Century Mourning Attire in Costume Institute Exhibition
From October 21, 2014, to February 1, 2015, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York is showcasing 'Death Becomes Her: A Century of Mourning Attire' at its location on 1000 Fifth Avenue. This exhibition displays approximately 30 dresses, including pieces worn by Queen Victoria, who donned mourning clothing for 40 years, and Queen Alexandra. Curator Harold Koda elaborates on the intricate social dynamics surrounding widowhood. Featured items include black crape garments, mourning accessories, and postmortem photographs. A related exhibit can be found at Brooklyn's Morbid Anatomy Museum. The opening featured a cello performance by Hildur Guðnadóttir. This exhibition offers a contrast to the previous Alexander McQueen show and encourages contemplation on mourning's influence on fashion and goth culture.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'Death Becomes Her: A Century of Mourning Attire' runs from October 21, 2014, to February 1, 2015
- Held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Avenue, New York
- Features around 30 dresses, including those of Queen Victoria and Queen Alexandra
- Queen Victoria wore mourning attire for 40 years
- Curated by Harold Koda
- Icelandic musician Hildur Guðnadóttir performed a cello concert at the opening
- Garments are primarily black crape with folds and pleats mimicking 19th-century silhouettes
- A related exhibition is on view at the Morbid Anatomy Museum in Brooklyn
Entities
Artists
- Hildur Guðnadóttir
- Harold Koda
- Queen Victoria
- Queen Alexandra
- Alexander McQueen
Institutions
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Costume Institute
- Morbid Anatomy Museum
- artcritical
Locations
- New York
- United States
- Brooklyn
- Iceland