Isabelle de Borchgrave – Eleanora of Toledo, 2006

de Borchgrave’s favorite Medici painting, is this Bronzino portrait of Eleanora of Toledo and her son. She was particularly enthralled by the richness of the jewelry, noting that “all the jewelry created by Fulco di Verdura for Chanel in the 1930s was inspired by the dress in the Bronzino portrait.” Eleanora was Duchess of Florence in the 16th century, and is credited as having been the first modern consort.

Just watched The Borgias.

Not kidding you may now call me obsessed. 

Augustus Prew (moonacre!!) and Francois Arnaud (gorgeous) are just brilliant and Lord, Holliday Grainger is the most ethereal thing.

I’m so in love with this series and the costumes are done rather well. But then again it’s pretty hard to mess up the Renaissance for the women. I was pleased to note the women were wearing proper gamurra* for that time and even the hairstyles and ornamentation is correct! Knucks for showtime!

The Men ehhh not so good. The papal robes are lovely and you would have to really struggle to bum those up but I did spy a few doublets that aren’t quite Renaissance. Buuuut I forgive you!

I have to say Gabriella Pescucci (the costume designer) gets four thumbs way up in my book!

Overall, I can overlook the few costume mishaps because I’m literally head over heels in love with Lucrezia’s costumes and I’m hanging onto her every slashed sleeve!!

*A gamurra (or camora), a gown worn as the middle of three garments (over the camicia, or chemise and under the cioppa or giornea <—-these are types of overdresses)

Anne Boleyn, Uffizi Gallery

‘Anna Bolena’

Portrait of Anne Boleyn by an unknown artist, located in the Uffizi Gallery of Florence.