Realm of Venus Plug

[callistotoni]

I have to say, I love the portraits available on this site. What I like even more is that she updates her stuff -- there's stuff here I've never seen before. :-) And her Portrait of the Month is cool, as well (not the showcase, but period portraits.)

http://realmofvenus.renaissancewoman.net

OK, so I'm fixated on costuming right now. What can I say, the muse is with me. ;-)

Comments

[timted.livejournal.com]

I love Bella's site, too.
(Of course... that has nothing to do with the fact that I got to be one of the showcases. That was just a cool bonus!)

[dame-cordelia.livejournal.com]

Neat site! You have no shame, woman. Just trying to lure more of us into the 16th century.

[callistotoni.livejournal.com]

BWAHAHAHAHA!

Beautiful Ladies...

[barone-antonio.livejournal.com]

For those who have seen the film "Baron Munchausen," the utterance "beautiful ladies" is a running gag; however, how can one not sigh heavily when one sees the female form and soul so adorned in these most splendid gowns and sincerely utter "beautiful ladies." I especially love Bernadino Licinio's (1530s) Portrait Of A Woman... che bella!

My issue... I would opine that most men's portraits only hint at the gentleman's clothing while most lady's portraits capture garb to a much greater degree. Is this because in period, men's styles are very much like current styles... i.e. all men wear the same thing (e.g. suits, jackets, shirts and sweaters) and only the fabric, cut and accessories (ties and shoes modernly) change?

Re: Beautiful Ladies...

[callistotoni.livejournal.com]

Carole Frick, in her book Dressing Renaissance Florence, sorta kinda agrees with you. One of her assertions is that in the family group paintings of 15th C Florence is that the males are portrayed as being somber and plain, thus emphasizing the republican ideal of Florence. Such sartorial sobriety was not uniform throughout Italy, however: "This costume of the politically active adult male of Florence displays none of the sartorial dandyism for which both the Milanese and Sienese men were ridiculed by civic humanists such as Alberti and Bracciolini."

Of course, female beauty was much more marketable for painters, so we have more unknown or "lessor" women models. It would seem that rich men are painted for thier honor and image, and so we see less "fashion".

Re: Beautiful Ladies...

[barone-antonio.livejournal.com]

Hence that one painting of the Sienese "fop" (seen from behind) with the huge, turned-up sleeves (lined in square patches of squirel fur) and the ferret around his neck.

This cioppa was the subject of a prior post to my journal... i.e. the black velveteen exterior and the gold/black jacquard lining the sleeves. It is an exceptionally splendid outfit, but I am toning down the fabric selections to fit my own tastes. I am also avoiding the elaborate leggings for a number of reasons. (By the way, the silk jacquard from Renaissance Fabrics is gorgeous.)

Considering my love of costuming/garb... I really need to learn how to sew!!! I know, I know... I will learn to sew in my voluminous spare time.