Corona delle Nobili et Virtuose Donne: Libro I-IV, page 17 (recto)

Art Historical Context

Step into the elegant world of Renaissance Venice with page 17 (recto) from Cesareellio's *Corona delle Nobili et Virose Donne: Libro I* (1601). This delicate woodcut, measuring just 5½ x 7⅝ inches, captures the ornamental splendor associated with noble and virtuous women Vecellio, a Venetian engraver and illustrator, specialized in costume books that meticulously documented fashions across cultures and eras, blending artistry with ethnographic detail. Printed as part of a multi-volume work—"Coronet of Noble and Virtuous Women"—this page exemplifies the era's fascination with sartorial splendor and social hierarchy. Woodcuts like this allowed for affordable, reproducible illustrations in books, making high fashion accessible to a wider audience. Vecellio's precise line work highlights intricate patterns and architectural motifs in clothing and accessories, reflecting Italy's Renaissance revival of classical ornamentation. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (Rogers Fund, 1918), this artifact offers a vivid snapshot of 17th-century ideals of femininity and nobility. It invites us to admire how visual culture preserved the transient beauty of elite attire, bridging art, fashion, and history.

About the Artist

Cesare Vecellio · 1521–1601

Cesare was a distant cousin of the famous Titian, and studied in his shop. He was a member of the branch of Vecellio descended from Giovanni Antonio. He is best known for his prints; he published illustrated books on costume, embroidery and lacemaking, and other subjects. Francesco, Cesare, Orazio and Marco were the only family members allowed to use the appellation "di Tiziano." Comment on works:...