Outline for Courtesan Class

  1. Political situation of Italy in period
  2. City states
  3. Very contentious - often breaking out in violence
  4. Economic situation
  5. New middle class emerging
  6. Vying for trade deals
  7. Also vying for papal favor.
  8. What the emergence of the courtesan class meant
  9. Wife
  10. Nun
  11. Servant
  12. Now courtesan
  1. Courtesan was expected to be
  2. educated
  3. literature
  4. music
  5. art
  6. classics
  7. knowledgeable in the political area
  8. knowledgeable in the economics
  9. court etiquette and comportment
  10. often fluent in several languages
  1. Dress was the same as nobility
  2. often a patron provided or paid to have made garments for the courtesan
  3. lavish fabric, jewelry, and accessories were often also given by the patrons
  1. Characteristics of style
  2. low square neck bodices
  3. as the century progressed, the waistline dropped to the natual waist
  4. full skirt was often box pleated, rolled box pleated, knife pleated and cartridge pleated.
  5. Large full sleeves – various designs just as in other countries of the period
  6. Corsetry was optional in Italy.
  7. Bum roll was added to change the silhouette mid to late century.
  8. Chemise construction varied widely from drawstring round neck to a fixed square neck Ruffs don’t become fashionable until very late in the century. They never achieve the width or exaggeration as in the north.
  9. Fabric is elaborate and rich in both content and pattern.
  10. Brocades
  11. Velvets
  12. Satins
  13. Silk, linen, wool and cotton are all extensively used.
  14. Embellishments were lavish and varied as well.
  15. Lace became widely used
  16. Often wore men’s clothing for outings, especially for outdoor activities. Became especially popular in Venice.
  1. Accessories were very important
  2. Shoes
  3. Slippers were worn indoors
  4. Chopines were worn outdoors.
  5. Boots
  6. Jewelry ensemble
  7. Necklace
  8. Jeweled Girdle or belt
  9. Earrings

Rings

  1. Head Covering had many styles
  2. Veils
  3. Netted caps
  4. Turbans
  5. Elaborately braided hair
  6. Venetian twin horn hairstyle became popular last quarter of the 16th century
  7. Caps with feathers
  8. Men’s hats also were worn
  9. Fans
  10. Flag fan
  11. Feather fan
  12. Round fan
  13. Paddle fan
  14. Other accessories
  15. Small writing tablet
  16. Small book of poetry or prose
  17. Small pouch
  18. Any small items that might suspend from the girdle, rosary or scissors