Nobilis Gallica ornatta 1592 - 1594

This print of a French noblewoman in full regalia was made by an anonymous artist. The dress tells us a lot about the social status of the wearer, from the extravagant ruff around the neck to the jeweled fabric and the ornate embellishments. This image was likely made in the 17th century, at a time when books of costume were becoming popular. These books document the fashions of different regions and social classes. Often, these fashion plates reflected the social and political structures of the time, reinforcing hierarchies through visual cues. The fashions of the elite distinguished them from the lower classes, visually representing the strict social boundaries of the time. As historians, we can look at sumptuary laws to discover how such displays of wealth were regulated. Examining conduct manuals will reveal what kind of behavior was expected from this woman. These resources help us decode the layers of meaning embedded within this image.