Hi All-- I'm new here and Eleonora of Toledo is one of my main interests (15 years of research and 364 pages into a manuscript about her...).
AFAIK--That pic from the Hermitage, no matter what they say at the museum, is a misidentification. It is NOT the wife of Duke Cosimo I de Medici. It may be Virginia , who was Cosimo's daughter by Camilla Martelli, his 2nd wife, or just some unknown lady. I say this for several reasons... The dress is way too late for "our" Eleonora, who died in 1562. The portrait is circa 1560 or later. The doublet style is not in the inventory of her gowns. The person in the picture is not anywhere near 40, which was Eleonora's age when she died. Compare this portrait to the one(s) by Bronzino where she is so ill (TB complicated by malaria is what killed her in Dec. 1562) Alorri painted Francesco's Studiolo about 10 years after her death-- the permanently young and lovely Eleonora is idealized in the roundel on one side of the room. She is also wearing a style that is similar to the style that she always wore (the petticoat with attached sleeves and a surcoat over it) However the hair is a style much later than 1562, as it is drawn up and away from her face. The book you mention is wonderful. Tons of info. Best Regards-- Dame Catriona MacDuff -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Cin Sent: Monday, September 05, 2005 7:07 PM To: h-cost Subject: Subject: RE: [h-cost] New to me Eleonora of Toledo Subject: RE: [h-cost] New to me Eleonora of Toledo >> I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of this book. ... By the >> way - how did you pay for your copy or did you get it in Italy? >I paid for it using a credit card when I ordered it through Abe Books. >The cost was dependant on the exchange rate that day. But with shipping I >paid about $100 for it. And it did come from Italy.... FWIW, I bought mine in July at the Pitti Palace (Florence, Italy) about US$60. If you're there picking up the book, might as well dash into the Gallerie di Costume & see EofT's gown up close. Actually, of the 3 Medici outfits, Garzia's is most stunning. --cin Cynthia Barnes [EMAIL PROTECTED] _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list [email protected] http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list [email protected] http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
