Costume, portraiture and the presentation of the individual have been
intimately linked throughout the history of art. But while the face of a
person in a portrait seems to speak directly across the ages, the
significance of their dress can be more inscrutable. Lavishly
illustrated throughout with paintings and drawings, this beautiful
publication considers how fashion is deployed in 190 portraits from the
National Portrait Gallery's collection. Authors Aileen Ribeiro and Cally
Blackman explore the purpose and original context of the dress in which
sitters were depicted, from the magnificent damasks and furs worn by
Queen Elizabeth I to the revolutionary simplicity of the cottons, linens
and woolen cloth adopted by Mary Wollstonecraft. Packed with photographs
that provide additional insights into the costumes, and complemented by
related material including fabric designs and jewelry, this
authoritative guide explores one of the most fascinating aspects of
historical portraiture.