After Max Tilke, Italian Renaissance Costume, 1880, Print

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Title: Italy circa 1500, Antique Hand-Colored Renaissance Costume Print : This striking hand-colored costume plate presents a vivid and engaging … Read more Title: Italy circa 1500, Antique Hand-Colored Renaissance Costume Print : This striking hand-colored costume plate presents a vivid and engaging view of Italian dress around the year 1500, at the height of the Renaissance. Produced by Ernst Wasmuth A.-G. in Berlin after designs by Max Tilke, the print captures the bold colors, tight-fitting silhouettes, and expressive tailoring that defined men’s fashion during this transformative period in Italian cultural history. The upper register features a group of soldiers, guards, and young courtiers, each dressed in distinctive Renaissance attire. Their vividly striped hose, short doublets, puffed shoulders, and fitted sleeves reflect the new emphasis on sculpted form and dynamic color combinations. One figure wears split-patterned hose—half solid, half checked—while another sports a slashed jerkin with decorative knots along the sleeves. These garments communicate both military identity and regional pride, common themes in late 15th- and early 16th-century Italy. A figure in a white mantle and bright green hose suggests civic or ceremonial dress, adding further variety to the group. The lower register depicts a lively mix of young Italian men wearing daywear typical of the early 1500s. Their clothing includes close-fitting tunics, narrow-cut hose, soft caps, and lightweight cloaks draped across the shoulders. At the far left stands a man in a distinctive turban-style headwrap—a nod to contemporary influences from the Mediterranean and Venetian trade. At the far right, a figure in brightly colored, slashed sleeves and striped hose demonstrates the opulent tailoring associated with elite Renaissance circles. The plate is an excellent example of early Renaissance menswear, emphasizing athletic proportions, symmetry, and daring color palettes. It is especially appealing to collectors interested in European costume history, Italian Renaissance culture, or decorative prints with strong visual impact. The hand-coloring remains bright and harmonious, showcasing the lively energy and bold expressiveness that made Italian fashion of this period so influential across Europe. Condition report: Good antique condition with soft age toning, minor edge wear, and a faint, unobtrusive mark near the lower margin. Image area is clean and colors remain vivid. No tears or repairs. Framing suggestion: Works beautifully in a simple walnut or dark oak frame with a cream or parchment mat. For a more dramatic display, pair with a narrow gilded frame to echo the richness of Italian Renaissance art. Also ideal to hang alongside other Italian plates as part of a historical series. Technique: Hand-colored lithograph Maker: Max Tilke, printed by Ernst Wasmuth A.-G., Berlin, c.1880 See less