Illuminating Fashion Dress in the Art of Medieval France and the Netherlands, 1325-1515
Anne H. van Buren. Edited by Roger S. Wieck
Published by GILES in association with the Morgan Library & Museum, New York
Publish Date — September 2011 (UK and USA)
Dimensions — 464 pages, 305 x 229mm (9 x 12in.), portrait
Illustrations — 298 colour
Hardback price — UK65.00/US$95.00
ISBN — 978-1-904832-90-4
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Press Release — Illuminating Fashion
News — Illuminating Fashion opens at The Morgan Library...
Sales Points
“Visually informative and very attractive.” Jane Bridgeman, The Art Newspaper
“Highly recommended for its organization, accessibility, and the way it visually clarifies the interrelationship between social and cultural and the political, ceremonial, and religious spheres deciphered through clothes that would have been obvious at the time but not so for the modern viewer.” Andrea Walton, ARLIS
“Copiously illustrated and meticulous in its chronology, the book is a definitive guide to medieval fashion that should prove useful for scholars and designers alike” Karen Rosenberg, The New York Times
“This volume is a feast for the eyes as well as an invaluable tool for specialists and non specialists in the field of fashion” Nuova Informazione Bibliografica
About the Book
A comprehensive study of dress in Northern Europe from the early fourteenth century to the beginning of the Renaissance, Illuminating Fashion is the first thorough study of the history of fashion in this period based solely on firmly dated or datable works of art. It draws on illuminated manuscripts, early printed books, tapestries, paintings, and sculpture from museums and libraries around the world.
“Symbolism and metaphors are buried in the art of fashion,” says Roger Wieck, the editor of Illuminating Fashion and curator of the accompanying exhibition at the Morgan Library. Examining the role of social customs and politics in influencing dress, at a time of rapid change in fashion, this fully illustrated volume demonstrates the richness of such symbolism in medieval art and how artists used clothing and costume to help viewers interpret an image.
At the heart of the work is A Pictorial History of Fashion, 1325 to 1515, an album of over 300 illustrations with commentary. This is followed by a comprehensive glossary of medieval English and French clothing terms and an extensive list of dated and datable works of art. Not only can this fully illustrated volume be used as guide to a fuller understanding of the works of art, it can also help date an undated work; reveal the shape and structure of actual garments; and open up a picture’s iconographic and social content.
It is invaluable for costume designers, students and scholars of the history of dress and history of art, as well as those who need to date works of art.
