A stitch in time

[scullion]

For those who have an interest in historical fashion, this series has been airing on bbc4.
Last week's episode studied what could be thought of as an example of the first three piece suit worn by charles the second. Last night's was about the dress in the arnolfini painting by van eyck.
In the words of my partner ' if you'd asked me, I would have thought that it would have been the last programme I would find interesting, but it was fascinating'.
It kindled a conversation that went from the use of pattens (not patterns - although that came in as well) to mordants.
Well worth a catch up.

[suffolk]

Thanks Scully

[earthmaiden]

By the subject title I thought you were going to talk about my very favourite Norman Wisdom film!

It does sound interesting though ... something to add to the list.

[Busybee]

I meant to watch this as it was recommended in the paper. I will make a point of catching it on the I player.

BB

[StokeySue]

Thanks scully , I'll add it to the telly box

[Herbidacious]

I saw it last week. V interesting. It didn't fit her that well though did it (across the chest)? I was trying to work out if it looked like that on purpose...!

[scullion]

i thought that, too, but it occurred to me that it could have been just pinned under the sash rather than buttoned, which could have overlapped more than it may have done if all the hundred buttons and holes had been finished. i think i would have tried to find a fix for the look before filming.
it may also have been made to fit a skinny man (from proportions taken from the painting) rather than a skinny woman with frontal appendages.

[StokeySue]

It looked a better fit on the mannequin on which it was also shown at the end of the program, V&A exhibition style. Presumambly that was roughly Charles II 's shape
The Arnolfini one was interesting, and I think firmly knocked the pregnancy theory on the head
When Waldemar Janusczak looked at the picture he firmly said the fur was vair, like Cinderella's slippers - the white fur from a squirrel's belly. Googling to check this revealed a theory in current archaeology that the vair trade spread leprosy

[earthmaiden]

Wasn't it interesting! The top of the sleeve doesn't touch the arm in the painting but it did in the copy. I had been curious all the way through how they would deal with that - but they didn't. Pretty clever all the same, what an interesting subject to have studied.

[suffolk]

I have never thought that the pregnancy theory in the Arnolfini was correct.

[cyprusmoira]

I find myself distracted by the presenters clothes, not to mention her expensive haircut

Moira

[Busybee]

Have just watched both programmes, fascinating.

Re the presenter, love her turbans, I wish I was brave enough to sport one!

BB

[scullion]

you only have to be brave the first time you wear it - then people will think that that's just what you wear.
i loved the colour of the slatey, petrol blue velvet one.

[earthmaiden]

The only thing with presenting oneself like the presenter is the endless upkeep of the look. It's great but such hard work! One slip from immaculate and the look is ruined.

[Herbidacious]

frontal appendages.

[Herbidacious]

She probably slobs out in 'tracky bottoms' (as I've heard them called) and has a fag dangling out of the corner of her mouth, EM, when no one is looking. (One can but hope.)

[scullion]

for those who missed it first time round (or who want to watch again) the series is being repeated on bbc4 at 7.30pm tonight

[PatsyMFagan]

Thanks I've set series link