Brilliant Bodies: Fashioning Courtly Men in Early Renaissance Italy

In the fifteenth century, Italian courts were a golden age, with dazzling princes, splendid surfaces, and luminous images that separated the lords from the masses. Timothy McCall's book "Brilliant Bodies" describes and interprets the Renaissance glitterati, gorgeously dressed and adorned men, to reveal how charismatic bodies, in the palazzo and the piazza, seduced audiences and materialized power. McCalls investigation of these spectacular masculinities challenges widely held assumptions about appropriate male display and adornment and argues that Renaissance masculine dress was a political phenomenon that fashioned power and patriarchal authority.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 21 February 2022
Publisher: Pennsylvania State University Press

Italian Court Culture of the Fifteenth Century: A Golden Age of Glittering Princes and Splendid Surfaces

The fifteenth century in Italian court culture was a remarkable era, characterized by a dazzling display of princes, magnificent surfaces, and luminous images that set the noblemen apart from the (literally) less impressive masses. In his book "Brilliant Bodies," Timothy McCall delves into the captivating world of the Renaissance glitterati, meticulously describing and interpreting the lavishly dressed and adorned men who captivated audiences and wielded power.

In this captivating era, men were transformed into magnificent peacocks, adorned with scintillating brocades, shining armor, sparkling jewels, and glistening swords, spurs, and sequins. McCalls exploration of these spectacular masculinities challenges prevailing notions about appropriate male display and adornment. By examining a wide range of surviving objects, visual representations across various media, and a diverse array of primary textual sources, McCall argues that Renaissance masculine dress was a political phenomenon that shaped power and patriarchal authority.

"Brilliant Bodies" offers a comprehensive and nuanced interpretation of the technical construction and cultural meanings of attire. It casts a critical eye toward the intricate and interconnected relations between bodies and clothing, exploring the negotiations among makers, wearers, and materials. This groundbreaking study of masculinity makes a significant contribution to the history of male ornamentation and fashion by examining a period when the public display of splendid men not only reinforced but also constituted authority.

The appeal of "Brilliant Bodies" extends beyond the realm of art history and fashion history. It will captivate scholars working at the intersections of gender and politics in quattrocento Italy, offering valuable insights into the complex dynamics of power, identity, and representation during this pivotal period.

In conclusion, the fifteenth-century Italian court culture was a golden age, characterized by the dazzling display of princes and the splendid surfaces that showcased their power and authority. Timothy McCalls "Brilliant Bodies" provides a captivating exploration of the Renaissance glitterati, challenging prevailing notions about male display and adornment. Through meticulous analysis and interpretation, McCall reveals how charismatic bodies, both in the palazzo and the piazza, seduced audiences and materialized power. This groundbreaking study of masculinity offers valuable insights into the complex dynamics of power, identity, and representation in quattrocento Italy, appealing to specialists in art history, fashion history, and scholars engaged in the study of gender and politics.

Weight: 1394g
Dimension: 239 x 263 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780271090603