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Ruff Collor Collection

"Exploring the Fashion of Ruff Collars: A Glimpse into Renaissance Elegance" Step back in time to the 16th and 17th centuries

Background imageRuff Collor Collection: Margaret of Austria, Queen of Spain, c. 1610 (oil on canvas)

Margaret of Austria, Queen of Spain, c. 1610 (oil on canvas)
5859944 Margaret of Austria, Queen of Spain, c.1610 (oil on canvas) by Polanco, Andres Lopez (d.1641); 210.6--109.3 cm; The Art Institute of Chicago, IL

Background imageRuff Collor Collection: Michel Eyquem de Montaigne (engraving)

Michel Eyquem de Montaigne (engraving)
1730117 Michel Eyquem de Montaigne (engraving) by Leu, Thomas de (1560-1612); (add.info.: Michel Eyquem de Montaigne (1533-1592) french writer and philosopher, engraving by Thomas de Leu)

Background imageRuff Collor Collection: Les Affiches Etrangeres, 1897 (lithography)

Les Affiches Etrangeres, 1897 (lithography)
397471 Les Affiches Etrangeres, 1897 (lithography) by Rassenfosse, Armand (1862-1934); JMK Archiv, Bremen, Germany; (add.info.: Les Affiches Etrangeres and Lith. Aug)

Background imageRuff Collor Collection: Gentleman at the court of King Charles IX of France, 1575. 1825 (lithograph)

Gentleman at the court of King Charles IX of France, 1575. 1825 (lithograph)
7236736 Gentleman at the court of King Charles IX of France, 1575. 1825 (lithograph) by Lecomte, Hippolyte (1781-1857) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageRuff Collor Collection: Rector at the University of Paris, 1586. 1825 (lithograph)

Rector at the University of Paris, 1586. 1825 (lithograph)
7236857 Rector at the University of Paris, 1586. 1825 (lithograph) by Lecomte, Hippolyte (1781-1857) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Costume of a Rector at the University of Paris, 1586)

Background imageRuff Collor Collection: Costume of the Merchant Provost of Paris, 1586. 1825 (lithograph)

Costume of the Merchant Provost of Paris, 1586. 1825 (lithograph)
7236790 Costume of the Merchant Provost of Paris, 1586. 1825 (lithograph) by Lecomte, Hippolyte (1781-1857) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Costume of the Merchant Provost of Paris, 1586)

Background imageRuff Collor Collection: Doctor at the Faculty of Medicine, 1586. 1825 (lithograph)

Doctor at the Faculty of Medicine, 1586. 1825 (lithograph)
7236781 Doctor at the Faculty of Medicine, 1586. 1825 (lithograph) by Lecomte, Hippolyte (1781-1857) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageRuff Collor Collection: Jean Louis de Nogaret de La Valette, Duke of Epernon, 1580. 1825 (lithograph)

Jean Louis de Nogaret de La Valette, Duke of Epernon, 1580. 1825 (lithograph)
7236775 Jean Louis de Nogaret de La Valette, Duke of Epernon, 1580. 1825 (lithograph) by Lecomte, Hippolyte (1781-1857) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Jean Louis de Nogaret de La Valette)

Background imageRuff Collor Collection: Francis de Lorraine II, Prince of Joinville, Duke of Guise. 1825 (lithograph)

Francis de Lorraine II, Prince of Joinville, Duke of Guise. 1825 (lithograph)
7236739 Francis de Lorraine II, Prince of Joinville, Duke of Guise. 1825 (lithograph) by Lecomte, Hippolyte (1781-1857) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Francis de Lorraine II)

Background imageRuff Collor Collection: Jacques of Savoy, 2nd Duke of Nemours, 1580. 1825 (lithograph)

Jacques of Savoy, 2nd Duke of Nemours, 1580. 1825 (lithograph)
7236863 Jacques of Savoy, 2nd Duke of Nemours, 1580. 1825 (lithograph) by Lecomte, Hippolyte (1781-1857) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Jacques of Savoy, 2nd Duke of Nemours, 1531-1585)

Background imageRuff Collor Collection: Costume of a page to King Henry III of France, 1580. 1825 (lithograph)

Costume of a page to King Henry III of France, 1580. 1825 (lithograph)
7236850 Costume of a page to King Henry III of France, 1580. 1825 (lithograph) by Lecomte, Hippolyte (1781-1857) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageRuff Collor Collection: Costume of a bourgeois man of Paris, 1580. 1825 (lithograph)

Costume of a bourgeois man of Paris, 1580. 1825 (lithograph)
7236761 Costume of a bourgeois man of Paris, 1580. 1825 (lithograph) by Lecomte, Hippolyte (1781-1857) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Costume of a bourgeois man of Paris, 1580)

Background imageRuff Collor Collection: Miguel de Cervantes (engraving)

Miguel de Cervantes (engraving)
1731186 Miguel de Cervantes (engraving) by Laurens, Jean Paul (1838-1921) (after); (add.info.: Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616) spanish writer, engraving after a drawing by Jean Paul Laurens)

Background imageRuff Collor Collection: Costume of the Master of Accounts of Paris, 1586. 1825 (lithograph)

Costume of the Master of Accounts of Paris, 1586. 1825 (lithograph)
7236867 Costume of the Master of Accounts of Paris, 1586. 1825 (lithograph) by Lecomte, Hippolyte (1781-1857) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Costume of the Master of Accounts of Paris)

Background imageRuff Collor Collection: Monsieur Francis, Duke of Anjou and Alencon, 1575. 1825 (lithograph)

Monsieur Francis, Duke of Anjou and Alencon, 1575. 1825 (lithograph)
7236866 Monsieur Francis, Duke of Anjou and Alencon, 1575. 1825 (lithograph) by Lecomte, Hippolyte (1781-1857) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Monsieur Francis, Duke of Anjou and Alencon)

Background imageRuff Collor Collection: King Henry IV of France. 1825 (lithograph)

King Henry IV of France. 1825 (lithograph)
7236858 King Henry IV of France. 1825 (lithograph) by Lecomte, Hippolyte (1781-1857) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Costume of King Henry IV of France (1553-1610)

Background imageRuff Collor Collection: Male fashion during the reign of King Charles IX of France, 1572 1825 (lithograph)

Male fashion during the reign of King Charles IX of France, 1572 1825 (lithograph)
7236742 Male fashion during the reign of King Charles IX of France, 1572 1825 (lithograph) by Lecomte, Hippolyte (1781-1857) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageRuff Collor Collection: Henry I, Prince of Joinville, Duke of Guise, Count of Eu, 1580. 1825 (lithograph)

Henry I, Prince of Joinville, Duke of Guise, Count of Eu, 1580. 1825 (lithograph)
7236881 Henry I, Prince of Joinville, Duke of Guise, Count of Eu, 1580. 1825 (lithograph) by Lecomte, Hippolyte (1781-1857) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Henry I, Prince of Joinville)

Background imageRuff Collor Collection: Henri, Duke of Joyeuse, 1563-1608. 1825 (lithograph)

Henri, Duke of Joyeuse, 1563-1608. 1825 (lithograph)
7236759 Henri, Duke of Joyeuse, 1563-1608. 1825 (lithograph) by Lecomte, Hippolyte (1781-1857) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Henri, Duke of Joyeuse, 1563-1608)

Background imageRuff Collor Collection: King Henry III of France, full portrait from 1575. 1825 (lithograph)

King Henry III of France, full portrait from 1575. 1825 (lithograph)
7236753 King Henry III of France, full portrait from 1575. 1825 (lithograph) by Lecomte, Hippolyte (1781-1857) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: King Henry III of France, 1551-1589)

Background imageRuff Collor Collection: Sir John Coke, Secretary of State to King Charles I. 1814 (engraving)

Sir John Coke, Secretary of State to King Charles I. 1814 (engraving)
7236118 Sir John Coke, Secretary of State to King Charles I. 1814 (engraving) by Dunkarton, Robert (1744-1811); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sir John Coke, 1563-1644, English politician, MP)

Background imageRuff Collor Collection: Caricature of womens costumes in the era of King Henry III and IV, 1850 (engraving)

Caricature of womens costumes in the era of King Henry III and IV, 1850 (engraving)
7233262 Caricature of womens costumes in the era of King Henry III and IV, 1850 (engraving) by Grevin, Alfred (1827-1892); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageRuff Collor Collection: Monmouth Cap (litho)

Monmouth Cap (litho)
7161261 Monmouth Cap (litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Monmouth Cap. Illustration for Collins Wide World Geography Reader, Book I, England and Wales (Collins)

Background imageRuff Collor Collection: Christine of Lorraine (oil on canvas)

Christine of Lorraine (oil on canvas)
ALI269051 Christine of Lorraine (oil on canvas) by French School, (16th century); Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence, Tuscany



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"Exploring the Fashion of Ruff Collars: A Glimpse into Renaissance Elegance" Step back in time to the 16th and 17th centuries, where fashion was a statement of power and prestige. Among the various trends that emerged during this period, one accessory stood out - the ruff collar. This captivating piece of neckwear became synonymous with nobility and sophistication. One notable figure who embraced this fashion was Margaret of Austria, Queen of Spain. In her portrait painted around 1610, she exudes regal grace while sporting an exquisite ruff collar made from delicate lace or fine linen. Another influential personality associated with ruffs is Michel Eyquem de Montaigne. An engraving capturing his likeness showcases him wearing a more modest version of this fashionable adornment, reflecting his intellectual pursuits as a renowned philosopher. The allure of ruff collars extended beyond portraits; they were also depicted in lithographs like "Les Affiches Etrangeres" from 1897. These prints showcased individuals from different walks of life donning these elaborate neckpieces, providing insight into their social status and roles within society. At courtly gatherings during King Charles IX's reign in France (1575), gentlemen could be seen wearing intricately designed ruffs that added grandeur to their attire. Lithographs from later years captured these ensembles, allowing us to appreciate the craftsmanship involved in creating such ornate collars. Not limited to men alone, women also embraced this trend as seen through depictions like those portraying Jean Louis de Nogaret de La Valette or Francis de Lorraine II. Their elegant costumes featured beautifully crafted ruffs that accentuated their noble stature. Even figures outside royalty indulged in this fashion craze; Jacques of Savoy's portrait reveals a dashing Duke adorned with an impressive ruff collar fit for his esteemed position.