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Fashion and Art in Renaissance Northern Italy with Dr. Sara Magister

Fashion and Art in Renaissance Northern Italy with Dr. Sara Magister


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Can't make this time? A video recording will be sent to all participants after the seminar.

When one thinks of Milan, fashion comes to mind and there’s no wonder why, but few know that the roots of that success date back to the Renaissance time, and have a lot to do with its dukes and Leonardo da Vinci’s art and engineering. Yet silk and velvet production in Lombardy and also Venetian area had a huge effect on the figurative arts, more so than elsewhere in Italy at the time. To truly gain a deeper understanding of the art from the Renaissance and Baroque eras, one must be aware of the symbolism and the laws that regulated the use of specific fabrics and outfits. 

This conversation led by art historian and published author, Dr. Sara Magister, will provide new and unexpected keys for approaching this aforementioned past, exploring it with the lens of fashion and fabric production. It was down to leading Milanese figures in these fields who really made the difference also in art-making. In the mid-1400s, one of its dukes had the brilliant idea to compete with Florence and other centers in the production of silk damasks and velvets. A few decades were enough to acquire the leading role in not only Italy but also Europe that Milan still celebrates today. We’ll discuss the fundamental role that Leonardo da Vinci played in this project. 

We will then understand why Milanese and Venetian Renaissance artists describe so carefully in their paintings the male and female outfits of their characters, both in sacred than secular subjects, and the texture and color of the fabrics. As those descriptions acquire new unexpected and deeper meanings, once we connect them with the fabrics business, the habits, and the sumptuary and social laws popular in Lombardy and Venice.

We’ll follow in the footsteps of Renaissance Venetian and Milanese masters, such as Gerolamo Savoldo, Giovan Battista Moroni, Lorenzo Lotto, and Tiziano Vecellio. We’ll enjoy their laces, outfits, embroideries, and fabric textures before we slowly move to the early Baroque time and the context of Caravaggio. We’ll learn about the impressive mastery and skills that he brought to Rome with him, allowing for a more intense narrative and multi-symbolic meaning to the figures within his paintings. We'll discuss this artistic revolution as a result of Caravaggio's deepened communication in his paintings, which was intrinsic to fashion and fabrics. 

Led by art historian, professor, and published Caravaggio author Sara Magister, this interactive discussion will explore the theme of fashion and contemporary clothing in Renaissance Northern Italy. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with a deeper knowledge of Lombardy and Venetian fashion and how it played an important role in the figurative arts in the late 16th century and beyond.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 17 reviews
94%
(16)
6%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
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0%
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C
Cynthia (Houilles, FR)
Fashion and Art in Renaissance Northern Italy

I could never write anything completely objectively about Dr. Magister. I am a bit of a groupie -- I would be happy to hear her lecture on any subject. Once again she did not disappoint. There was a bit of overlap with her other lectures but as usual she made the discussion new and interesting. She is an excellent presenter and it is clear she is an excellent researcher.

K
Kris Shapar (Stuttgart, DE)
Original, illuminating presentation - highly recommended

I normally don't care about fashion and signed up for this Conversation because Dr Magister is one of my favorite presenters. I was rewarded by a wonderful presentation that convincingly showed the layers of meaning an artist's depiction of fashion can add to a painting. I had barely any idea of this before, and came away fascinated and eager to learn more. Dr Magister always gives excellent talks, but this one was exceptional. Original, illuminating, fascinating, presented clearly and with great enthusiasm - I cannot recommend it highly enough.

A
Anonymous (Santa Monica, US)

Guest did not leave comment

J
Janis
Caravaggio: Symbols of Fashion in Rome and Milan

I loved it! I look forward to more.

C
Christine

Caravaggio: Symbols of Fashion in Rome and Milan with Sara Magister

Customer Reviews

Based on 17 reviews
94%
(16)
6%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
C
Cynthia (Houilles, FR)
Fashion and Art in Renaissance Northern Italy

I could never write anything completely objectively about Dr. Magister. I am a bit of a groupie -- I would be happy to hear her lecture on any subject. Once again she did not disappoint. There was a bit of overlap with her other lectures but as usual she made the discussion new and interesting. She is an excellent presenter and it is clear she is an excellent researcher.

K
Kris Shapar (Stuttgart, DE)
Original, illuminating presentation - highly recommended

I normally don't care about fashion and signed up for this Conversation because Dr Magister is one of my favorite presenters. I was rewarded by a wonderful presentation that convincingly showed the layers of meaning an artist's depiction of fashion can add to a painting. I had barely any idea of this before, and came away fascinated and eager to learn more. Dr Magister always gives excellent talks, but this one was exceptional. Original, illuminating, fascinating, presented clearly and with great enthusiasm - I cannot recommend it highly enough.

A
Anonymous (Santa Monica, US)

Guest did not leave comment

J
Janis
Caravaggio: Symbols of Fashion in Rome and Milan

I loved it! I look forward to more.

C
Christine

Caravaggio: Symbols of Fashion in Rome and Milan with Sara Magister