Framing the Face: Collars and Ruffs

Useful exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery looking at the development of ruffs and collars from 1560-1640. OK I admit this is one for the geeks but it was very interesting!

In this period the ruff developed from a small decorative frill on a collar into a large stiff circle made of starched tissue like fabric sometimes supported by wires. Then as we move into the 1620s the ruff flattens and morphs back into being a white starched collar again.  Your wealth was demonstrated by the quality of the white of your ruff or collar as they were difficult to launder so it showed you had servants.

The show included come lovely small pictures I’d not seen before and nice ones by Cornelius Johnson who specialised in painting lace.

Closes 31 December 2016.

 

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