Vier vrouwen, gekleed volgens de mode in Rome van ca. 1580 before 1581

Abraham de Bruyn’s ‘Four Women Dressed According to the Fashion in Rome’ was made around 1580 using engraving. The image depicts a group of women in elaborate dresses and veils. The print gives us a glimpse into the fashion of the late 16th century in Rome. Rome was then a major cultural and religious center, and fashion played a significant role in expressing social status. The clothing of Roman women reflected the strict social hierarchy and norms of the time, with different styles and materials indicating their marital status and social class. The Catholic church played a significant role in dictating fashion trends and enforcing modesty. By examining fashion plates, we can explore the interplay of social, religious, and political influences that shaped the identity and appearance of women in Rome. Historians rely on resources like fashion plates, portraits, diaries, and archival records to reconstruct the sartorial history of a particular time and place. In this way, fashion provides an avenue into the intricate relationship between culture and social identity.