Corona delle Nobili et Virtuose Donne: Libro I-IV, page 91 (recto) 1601

This is a page from "Corona delle Nobili et Virtuose Donne" or "Crown of Noble and Virtuous Women" by Cesare Vecellio, printed in Venice, Italy, sometime in the late 16th century. This book is an early example of fashion history, documenting the dress and customs of women across different social classes and regions. Vecellio’s woodcuts provide a visual record of the material culture of his time, but they also participate in the construction of social identity. In this book, dress is a marker of status, occupation, and moral virtue. The images are framed by elaborate borders, creating a sense of classical order. The figures within are idealized, conforming to contemporary standards of beauty, but also referencing classical iconography. The Corona wasn't just an impartial catalog; it promoted a specific idea of femininity and social hierarchy. Vecellio’s choices in representing women reflect the patriarchal values of Renaissance Venice. By studying books like this, along with other historical sources, we can begin to understand the complex relationship between art, fashion, and social power in early modern Europe.