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Influences from Abroad

I am an English man, and naked I stand here
Musing in my mind what raiment I shall wear
For now I will wear this, and now I will wear that
Now I will wear I cannot tell what
All new fashions be pleasant to me;
I will have them, whether I thrive or thee

Andrew Boorde, The Fyrst Boke of the Introduction of Knowledge, 1547

396 p.

The Fyrst boke of the introduction of knowledge made by Andrew Borde.../ ed. with a life of Andrew Borde, ..., by F.J. Furnivall (E.E.T.S. Extra series no. 10) ©

Andrew Boorde’s indecisive Englishman characterises the popular image of the English approach to fashion throughout the sixteenth century. The English were viewed as chameleons, adopting elements of fashionable clothing from other countries and combining them in strange ways.

Adopting styles from abroad was not a feature unique to England. Close relationships between the European courts and the circulation of prints and portraiture allowed fashions to spread, while an efficient trade network facilitated the sharing of raw materials, for example silks from Italy and later France; woollens from England; and linen from Flanders. However, there were distinct differences between countries. Portraits demonstrating these links and distinctions form the last part of this exhibition.

Influence on fashionable styles abroad was closely linked to political power. Spain’s strong influence on international fashions coincided with its political dominance across much of Europe in the sixteenth century, while France achieved supremacy in both politics and fashion in the seventeenth century under the rule of Louis XIV and the court of Versailles.

Follower of Anthonis Mor van Dashorst (c. 1518-76)

Joanna of Austria (1535-73)

Attributed to the studio of Alonso Sánchez Coello (1531-88)

Isabella Clara Eugenia and Catharina, Daughters of Philip II, King of Spain

Workshop of Anthonis Mor van Dashorst (c. 1518-76)

John, Prince of Portugal (1537-54)

Frans Pourbus the Younger (Antwerp 1569 - Paris 1622)

The Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia (1566-1633), Archduchess of Austria

Barent Graat (Amsterdam 1628- Amsterdam 1709)

A Family Group

Rembrandt van Rijn (Leiden 1606-Amsterdam 1669)

Agatha Bas (1611-1658)

Joos van Cleve (active 1505/08-1540/41)

Eleanora of Austria, Queen of France (1498-1558)

Lorenzo Lotto (Venice c. 1480-Loreto 1556)

Andrea Odoni

Agnolo Bronzino (Florence 1503-72)

Portrait of a Lady in Green

After Jean Jacques Boissard (1528-1602)

Habitvs variarum orbis gentium