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
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
