In Fine Style: The Art of Tudor and Stuart Fashion, an exhibition currently running at The Queen’s Gallery, shines an intriguing light on the fashionable follies and sartorial considerations of 16th and 17th century nobility.
As an American living in the UK, getting my head around the fact that I’m going about my business in an actual kingdom kinda does me in. Having grown up in the “land of the free,” the concept of kingdom seems more like something associated with ancient history or fairy tales. There was Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom in Florida, Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom hosted by Marlin Perkins on TV and that was about it.
Of course, Britain’s hardly the only modern day place with a royal family. And, with respect to practical concerns, the idea of whether folks here are subjects to a throne really doesn’t seem to matter all that much on a day-to-day basis. Of course, it is a big deal. As a foreigner I find this aspect of the UK’s cultural landscape can be a tricky one – balancing a genuine interest in history and current affairs with an attempt to assimilate and fit in with the locals ain’t always easy nor is discerning who’s a staunch royalist, who’s a republican or who even really cares. Whatever the situation – and whomever I happen to be talking to – one thing’s for sure: The Queen’s got a awesome collection of stuff with much of it impressively accessible to the public and well worth seeing for yourself.
Such is especially true in the case of In Fine Style which “explores the sumptuous costume of British monarchs and their court during the 16th and 17th centuries through portraits in the Royal Collection.” It’s a smartly curated show with an amazing (and free with entry) handheld audio/visual media guide greatly enhancing the experience of viewing the many gorgeous and historic paintings exhibited.
Interested in why we wear what we wear today? Looking for a material connection with history? Simply keen to take a gander at great art? This show’s for you. With more than 60 paintings including significant works by Rembrandt, Hans Holbein, Van Dyck, displayed alongside important works such as a number of etchings by Wenceslaus Hollar as well as an array of garments, jewellery, armour and more – In Fine Style follows the changing fashions of the period while demonstrating the spread of styles internationally and showing how clothing could (and still does) convey important messages.
And if your girlfriend happens to be a set and costume designer, you can score mega-points inviting her to visit the exhibition with you. Yep, Kemey loved this show. I did too I learned plenty checking it out with her. This exhibition’s a good one for contemplating the relationship between royalty and contemporary society and coming to grips with Britain’s living link to the past.
In Fine Style: The Art of Tudor and Stuart Fashion runs until 6 October 2013 at The Queen’s Gallery. Admission is £9.50 for adults. The gallery is located at Buckingham Palace, SW1A 1AA (entrance on Buckingham Palace Road). Find out more at royalcollection.org.uk.
