A fashion show...painted: princely dresses from three centuries of history on display in Innsbruck

Until October 3, 2021, princely garments spanning three centuries of history are on display at Ambras Castle in Innsbruck.

PrincelyWardrobes of three centuries, this is the title of the exhibition in one of the most sumptuous Habsburg residences (it was given by Archduke Ferdinand II to his wife Philippine Welser), focuses on the princely wardrobe from the 16th to the 18th century. Through fashions in clothing it is possible to understand the economic, cultural, social and political conditions of an individual, as they were reflective of them in the past. Wearing clothes made of luxurious or highly decorated and even fashionable fabrics was the prerogative of the elite and was thus a sign of social distinction. Even in portraits, members of high society were depicted wearing clothes appropriate to their status.

In addition to documents and written sources, the exhibition features paintings of Habsburg portraiture through which we aim to trace the most representative fashion from the Renaissance to the Baroque. A fashion show... painted involving as many as three centuries.

Among the portraits featured are that of Emperor Maximilian I (1459-1519), that of Bianca Maria Sforza (1472-1510), the latter’s second wife, those of Philippine Welser (1527 - 1580) and Archduke Ferdinand II of Austria (1529 - 1595), Archduke Ferdinand Charles of Austria, Elector Augustus of Saxony; as well as portraits of Queen Elizabeth I of England, Archduchess Anne of Austria, Queen Marie Antoinette of France, and many others.

In addition to clothing, accessories also played a significant role: gloves, fans, scarves, handkerchiefs and jewelry were true status symbols.

For all info: https://www.schlossambras-innsbruck.at/en/visit/exhibitions/fashion-show/

Image: Frans Pourbus d. J., Mary Magdalene of Austria, Grand Duchess of Tuscany (1603-1604; oil on canvas, Vienna, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Gemäldegalerie, inv. 3385)

A fashion show...painted: princely dresses from three centuries of history on display in Innsbruck

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