Renaissance Art: Details of Dreses
Botticelli c. 1481-1482, Primavera
Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger c. 1600-1602 Queen Elizabeth I (Rainbow Portrait)
Every Halloween, people of all ages transform themselves into an array of characters and creatures for an evening of festivities. However, costumes are not a new occurrence in modern culture. The Renaissance courts often hosted masques, a magnificent stage show with music, singing, and dancing for visiting princes or honored guests. Courtiers and even kings often took part with non-speaking roles. All performers and participants wore costumes specifically designed by a distinguished artist for the event. The costumes could represent anything from a historic figure to an allegory. Above are 16th century costume designs by Italian artist, Giuseppe Arcimboldo.
In order:Geometry, Knight, Cook, Music, Astronomy, Headdress design
On January 15, 1559 Elizabeth I was crowned Queen at Westminster Abbey during a grand coronation. Although only 25, Elizabeth’s early years and surprising ascension to the throne were fraught with political perils. The youngest daughter of Henry VIII was third in line for the crown after being restored to the line of succession near the end father’s life. Like Mary before her, Parliament declared Elizabeth illegitimate to clear Jane Seymour’s path to the throne. In 1554, the outbreak of Wyatt’s Rebellion nearly led to Elizabeth’s execution at the Tower, the same death her mother, Anne Boleyn, faced as Mary suspected Elizabeth’s involvement in the plot. Edward and Mary’s tumultuous reigns had led England to the edges of radical Protestantism only for the nation to be violently reunited with Rome. A court in conflict, economic instability, and the painful upheaval of the Reformation was the new Queen’s inheritance. What followed Elizabeth’s coronation was an unprecedented time in British history some refer to as England’s ‘Golden Age’.
This illustration in a margin of the 14th century French manuscript The Hours of Yolande of Flanders depicts a mermaid with a mirror in her hand, combing her hair.