More Medieval Women

La Dame a la Licorne, a French tapestry

In this tapestry--all embroidered--of a girl, I would draw your attension to the glorious brocade design of her cotehardie, laced-up over a bliaud; the girl also wears a small linen cap.

Margarethe von Aich, Barthel Bruyn the Elder

This woman wears a golden caul above a yellow cap, her hair wrapped in braids over her ears. This braided fashion was very popular during the Middle Ages and worn also with cauls that went over the braided wraps. Her costume is more early 16th century, however, than Medieval.

Portrait of a Lady, Petrus Christus

One of my personal favorite paintings. This woman also wears as a stomacher beneath her dress, but her headpiece is of greater note. Famous in a pointed fashion (seen in the next painting), this woman's headpiece is known as the henin, which was brought to France by Isabella of Bavaria in the 14th century. There were numerous styles of the henin, some with veils, floating or wired in place. The shape and size of the henin eventually grew so extravagant that the authorities found it necessary to regulate its size based on the social position of the wearer.

A Lady With a Pink, Hans Memling, Flemish

This woman also wears a henin with a veil, and a black wimple falling from around the henin to her shoulders. This painting exhibits the development of the female robe, a dress with a fitted bodice which would produce the corset in the future. The robe was also the first real frock, in contrast to the tunic, which was the basis of most Medieval clothing. The robe, with its fitted bodice and long trailing skirt promoted a slim figure, and so lacing and dieting were first resorted to to achieve the perfect silhouette.

And finally, one of my favorite sculpture works to end with.

Bust of a Lady, Francesco Laurana

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