In the treasury of Schloss Ambras, there are a series of embroidered linen song books for six parts: Discantus, Contratenor I and II, Tenor, Vagans and Bassus, for the song "Martia terque quater Germania plaude / Triumphans Caesar ab Italia / Carolus ecce venit - Aurea qui terris" a song honoring Charles V, who stepped down as Emperor in 1566. The fabric is listed in the 1596 castle inventory as leinbat, a fine linen fabric. They are embroidered with couched gold cord, and black silk in cross ... continue reading...
Advent 2020 – Day 2: 16th c Green Silk Knitted Bag
The Notentasche, bag for the notebooks, is knitted in green and black silk, and lined with red silk cloth. The black silk in the knitted design has unfortunately disintegrated over time, causing it to unravel in places, and leaving the design very hard to see. However, on the right hand side of the bag, there are a few sections in better shape, showing a design of chains around an octogon, with figure 8s at the connections. The design is similar to one found in Domenico da Sera's ... continue reading...
Advent 2020 Day 1
The Three Sons of Duke Johann Friedrich II of Saxony, 1567 Veste Coburg, Inv.Nr. M.034Photo by Marion McNealy This was painted after Johann Friedrich was no longer Duke of Saxony, having been put under imperial ban, imprisoned, and had his lands and possessions confiscated in 1566. His three sons seen here, with their approximate ages: Frederick Henry, age 4; John Casimir, age 3; and John Ernst, age 1 or less. This was either painted when they were at Eisenach, or in Weimar with their ... continue reading...
Planning a Research Vacation to Europe
You’ve always wanted to go tour amazing museums and see historical sites in person instead of in photographs. But how do you plan your own customized research tour? Here are some tips and tricks from my various research trips to Europe over the years. ... continue reading...
A 15th century Extant Italian Gown
I've been digging and organizing my research material recently, and while browsing through my files, I remembered that I had this tucked away. This paper is really amazing, it's not everyday you run across an extant 15th Italian gown! Un Abito per Osanna, in "IN GLORIA 1515 -2015. OSANNA ANDREASI D A M A N T O V A " The paper discusses the life and extant gown of the Blessed Osanna Andreasi of Mantua (1499-1505). While it is in Italian, please don't let that deter you from reading this ... continue reading...