Boy Choir Costumes: Art Work


Figure 1.--Renowned French Illustrator Pierre Jourbet drew this French choir boy in a hooded white alb, one of the principal costumes for French choristers. The stained glass window is a famous one at a French Cathedral, perhaps Chartes. (Hopefully our French readers will provide the correct cathedral.)

HBC has noted numerous drwings of choir boys. They are a popular subject for Christmas cards by often unidentified artists. We have noted many such American, English, French, and German drawings. These cards began to appear in the 19th century. There are also paintings of choir boys, but we have not noted modern paintings before the 19th century. This probably reflects the fact that many boy choral music became popular and that many chours were organized then. We have also noted some beautiful drawings by French illustrator Pierrer Joubert who is better known for his illustrations of French Scouting. Most of the drawings, especially the ones for Christmas Cards, show the choristers singing in eclesiastical robes. Interestingly, while girls now sing in many choirs and there are even girl cathedral choirs in England, it is usually boys that are featured on Christmas cards.

Countries

HBC has noted numerous drwings of choir boys. They are a popular subject for Christmas cards by often unidentified artists. We have noted many such American, English, French, and German drawings. These cards began to appear in the 19th century. There are also paintings of choir boys, but we have not noted modern paintings before the 19th century. This probably reflects the fact that many boy choral music became popular and that many chours were organized then. We have also noted some beautiful drawings by French illustrator Pierrer Joubert who is better known for his illustrations of French Scouting.

American

Choir boys continue to be a popular sibject for A,erican Christmas cards.

England

Boy choirs are perhaps more associated with England than any other country, probably due to the superb cathedral choirs. Choir boys are also popular on English Christmas cards.

France

Choir boys also appear in French Christmas cards, again mostly in eclesiastical robes. We have noted 20th century Christmas cards, but do not yet have any information on the 10th century. We have also noted some beautiful drawings by French illustrator Pierrer Joubert who is better known for his illustrations of French Scouting.

Germany

We have noted German Christmas cards featuring boy choristers in the 19th century. They are usually depicted in eclesiastical robes rather than the sailor suits that many choirs adopted in the 20th century.

Garments

Most of the drawings, especially the ones for Christmas Cards, show the choristers singing in eclesiastical robes.

Gender

Interestingly, while girls now sing in many choirs and there are even girl cathedral choirs in England, it is usually boys that are featured on Christmas cards.







Christopher Wagner





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Created: January 18, 2002
Last updated: January 18, 2002