Dressing the Dogaressa
This Print by an unknown maker, dating from 1520, presents the Dogaressa Morecena Grimani, wife of the Doge Antonio Grimani, dressed in the official dogal costume, including the Corno Ducale (the ceremonial hat), veil and robe.The beautiful foliage pattern on her dress and hat are hand-coloured in warm golden hues.
From the 15th century, the dogaressa's official costume was specified in Venice's "sumptuary legislation". In the oath of the Doge Pasquale Malipiero of 1457, a clause related to the ducal couple's costume, stated that when the couple appeared in public, they both had to wear the official costume and that the dogaressa had to wear the same "honorable mantle" as the doge. The legislation regarding the dogaressa's clothes, illustrates her importance as a public figure who was meant to be representative and dignified when seen in public.
Cesare Vecellio, prints of the Doge and Dogaressa from the book The clothing of the Renaissance World, 1590, The Met, New York.
The 16th century Venetian engraver, Cesare Vecellio, described in his Book "The clothing of the Renaissance world", the Dogaressa, wearing her official costume.
" The princess was dressed in ducal fashion, with a gown of fine gold brocade, on top of which she wore a floor- length mantle with a very long wide train. The corno she wore on her head was studded with a great number of jewels…" [2]
The engraving of the Doge also by Cesare Vecellio depicts him in his ceremonial official costume. Note the similarities between the Doge's and the Dogaressa's clothes, both dogal costumes are adorned with a similar foliage pattern. The doge is wearing the winter costume which includes a fur cloak.
[2] Cesare Vecellio ca 1521-1601, The clothing of the Renaissance World: Europe, Asia, Africa, The Americas: Cesare Vecellio's Habiti Antici et Moderni. New York press, (2008),39.