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
Camilla Guidoboni Scarampa, or Scarampi, was an important literary figure of the 15th-century. She was held in great esteem by Matteo Bandello who dedicated his 13th Novelle to her. She is thought to have been born in Mantua or Milan of the family Scarampo Scarampi. (The blog photo in the header is not Camilla, but … More Camilla Scarampa
Veronica Gambara’s (1485-1550) family boasted a number of distinguished intellectuals, including her grandmother and great-aunt, Ginevra and Isotta Nogarola. Educated in literature, philosophy, and languages at an early age, Veronica became a poet early in life. She married her cousin, Giberto X, Countof Coreggio, in 1509. They were apparently well suited. Giberto felt … More Veronica Gambara
Question di Giorno I have three lovely side-laced gamurre that were made for me by Countess Sibilla of Trimaris. I would like to explore how to increase their amazingness by adding a few more period elements to the dresses/sleeves and adding more accessories. I must admit that this is primarily driven by the lavish appearance … More 15th-Century Gamurra Upgrades
For my 14th-century wardrobe I would like to make a silk filet (or fillet, I’ve seen it spelled both ways) and a silk belt. I bought a navy blue wool one but wanted to have a more historically accurate one. FILET Based on information from Textiles and Clothing (Crowfoot 19), I chose to use silk … More Tablet Weaving A Silk Filet & Belt
By Maggie McNeil (read her blog here). It is not holiness, but arrogance displayed to take away the greatest gift—free will— bestowed by God from the beginning of time. – Tullia d’Aragona, Sonnet XXXV The existence of courtesans is a glaring refutation of neofeminist dogma about objectification, the eternal victimhood of whores, etc; the fact … More Tullia d’Aragona
Reblogged from https://aneardepthexperience.wordpress.com/2013/06/16/nec-spe-nec-metu-superman-caravaggio-and-hope/ Nec Spe Nec Metu: Superman, Caravaggio and Hope … The phrase ‘nec spe nec metu’ probably has its origins in Stoicism, meaning ‘neither hope nor fear’ or, more pedantically ‘without hope, without fear’ (perhaps from ancient medicine and Silesio; perhaps adapted from general Roman orations) – implying a kind of resigned equilibrium and forbearance. … More Nec Spe Nec Metu: Isabella d’Este
My love affair with Titian’s painting has led me to compile research on the style of coat featured in it. I call it the Turkish Venetian coat. The painting is Portrait of a Lady by Titian done in 1555 and housed at the National Gallery of Art in DC. Throughout the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, … More Turkish Venetian Gown & Coat
