The Duchess [DVD]

An extremely important part of my research into Georgiana was to watch the film The Duchess, set around the life of Georgiana. Although I understand a lot of the film may have been dramatically reinforced the basis of her life can never be fully understood, therefore resources such as films based upon a character are always of value during research. The drama has been adapted from Amanda Foreman's best-selling novel Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, documenting the romantic entanglements of Georgiana Cavendish (Keira Knightley), a beautiful and clever woman who becomes a celebrity of British high society when she marries the Duke of Devonshire (Ralph Fiennes) and becomes consort to one of the most powerful men in England. Beloved for her trend-setting fashion designs as well as her political activism, Georgiana's fire and wit make her a beloved figure everywhere but her own home, where her cold and distant husband's control over her is stifling, soon sending her into the arms of a another man -- an act that soon forces her to learn about the brutal difference in the rights afforded to 18th century men and women.

Images from: http://www.perioddramas.com/articles/the-duchess.php

 The plot of the film as mentioned briefly above is adapted from the biography of Georgiana by Amanda Foreman - perhaps the most accurate account of her life existing today. The makeup and hair styling within the film is appropriate to period in my visions, prior to more in-depth research into the era. The hair is notably taller, as always associated with the 18th century, and the makeup is almost always comprised of a light complexion with rouged cheeks and lips for women and a clean complexion for men. The lack of white powdered wigs within the film is something that surprised me as powdered wigs are something I personally heavily associate with the century, however I will research deeper into this. Overall the visual development of the 18th century has been helped by watching the film allowing me to also consider the costumes relevant to the era.