Fashion in the Middle Ages
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.87 (664 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 1606060619 |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 112 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2015-10-08 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
""Fashion" not "Clothing" of the Middle Ages" according to R. Cohen. Fashion in the Middle Ages is not a very big book. It is only 112 pages long and only 9 inches tall. It is not encyclopedic in scope or in depth. It is, however, an absolutely excellent little volume. A few notes which may help people- this book is an exhibit catalog. It was published in conjunction with an exhibit of the same name at the Getty in 2011. It is not a history of middle ages dress in the strictest sense.Rather than an extensive or detailed history of medieval dress, Fashion in the Middle Ages delves into the idea of "fashion" and how clothing demonstrated wealth, class and social structure in the era. By . "More than pictures" according to Karyn Schmidt. There are many books that introduce the reader to changes in clothing styles over the years. This little book does some of that, but since more than half of the illustrations are from the fifteenth century, it hardly does it well. This book has a different mission. It teaches the reader how to interpret the illustrations of a different age. It reveals the way in which its author sees the physical and cultural reality behind the illustrations. She tells us why she thinks an artist is representing velvet. She draws attention to the smallest details, such as the knots on a Franciscan's belt. She reminds us of the ways in. "Small but extensive illustrations, basic information" according to Jill McAlester. I love the extensive illustrations from period manuscripts, and photos/descriptions of extant clothing that I haven't seen elsewhere. Unfortunately, the book is of such a small size that you need a magnifying glass to see details. The text is written mainly for people who have no previous knowledge of Medieval fashion, but even here there are some interesting tidbits for the serious student. (The previous reviewer mentions that the book covers Renaissance and Reformation fashion, but I don't see that at all. Anyone looking for that here will be disappointed.)It's a nice book. I just wish it were bigger!
“Recommended.”—Choice
The last portion of the book is dedicated to the depiction of clothing in biblical times and the ancient world as seen through a medieval lens. Throughout, excerpts from literary sources of the period help shed light on the perceived role and function of fashion in daily life. From the costly velvets and furs worn by kings to the undyed wools and rough linens of the peasantry, the clothing worn by the various classes in the Middle Ages played an integral role in medieval society. The book accompanies an exhibition of the same name on view at the J. Paul Getty Museum. This volume provides a detailed look at both the actual fabrics and composition of