Major Discovery Maria Salviati, as in other contemporary portraits of her, wears the clothes of mourning for her deceased husband, the famous military leader Giovanni delle Bande Nere de’ Medici (d. 1526). The little girl holding her hand here is her niece Giulia, who was raised in Maria’s household after the murder of the child’s … More Giulia de’ Medici 1535-1588
Cia degli Ordelaffi and Violante Malatesta, known as “The Ladies of Cesena”, were two great women who made the history during the trecento (1300s) and quattrocento (1400s). Cia degli Ordelaffi was a valiant woman who, together with her soldiers, was able to resist the assaults of the army of the Spanish cardinal Egidio Albornoz who … More Marzia Cia degli Ordelaffi
Reblogged from https://www.monstrousregimentofwomen.com/2015/02/isabella-deste-la-prima-donna-del-mondo.html Isabella d’Este, marchesa of Mantua (died 13 February 1539) Let Your Highness, I beg of you, keep a tranquil mind and attend wholly to military affairs, for I intend to govern the state with the help of these magnificent gentlemen and officials in such a manner that you will suffer no wrong, and all … More Isabella d’Este “la prima donna del mondo”
At Gulf Wars XXIX on Wednesday I will be teaching a class on the toilette of my favorite person from the Renaissance, Caterina Sforza! Caterina Sforza (1463-1509), Countess of Imola, was an exceptional woman. In her private life Caterina was devoted to various activities, among which were experiments in alchemy and a love of hunting and dancing. Her stillroom book was … More Caterina Sforza Toilette Class 2020
The Tragic Anna Guarini (ca 1563 –1598) Italian Renaissance courts, glittering and dazzling though many were, could also often be dangerous places full of intrigue and gossip as this post on the murder of Anna Guarini, one of the most celebrated singers of late 16th-century Italy, illustrates. I first came across this story in a … More Anna Guarini
I found an extant gamurra for a pious working class woman in Mantova circa 1496! Apparel of: Osanna Andreasi Date Created: 1496 Here is the information on Osanna and her dress from Google Art & Culture: This garment, that the tradition associates to the person of the Blessed Osanna, was a long dress, tight in the upper part … More The Extant Gamurra of Beata Osanna
One important place for the exchange of ideas was the salon. The word salon first appeared in France in 1664 (from the Italian word salone, itself from sala, the large reception hall of Italian mansions). Italy had had an early tradition of the salon; Giovanna Dandolo became known as a patron and gatherer … More The Salon of Giovanna Dandolo Malipiero
When Isabella d’Este first arrived in Mantua, she began having a set of rooms (camerini) built to showcase her books, artworks, and musical instruments, and to provide her with spaces for reflection, contemplation, and intimate music-making. Her first camerini were in the Castel San Giorgio in Mantua, adjacent to the Camera degli Sposi, which is decorated with frescoes … More Impresa of Isabella d’Este
Reblogged from MissPen Aristocratic Daughters We think of nuns as living a secluded life, peacefully going about their daily prayers and rituals. However, at the threshold of the Italian Renaissance, the life of a nun offered a creative solution to women who wanted to pursue interests outside of keeping a home and raising children. For … More Phenomenal Women
In this portrait of Lucrezia Tornabuoni (c. 1475) she wears a forest green cioppa (overdress) with long dark blue sleeves, an simple edgeless linen coverciere (scarf/partlet) held in place by two gold pins, a high neckline camicia (chemise), a slice of her bright red gamurra (underdress) shows through the laces of her cioppa which are … More Lucrezia Tornabuoni Portrait
