I have been watching the programme with Waldemar Januszczak about the Renaissance. I never really gave much thought to the clothing of the time.

Yes I was aware of the Silk route, but I did not know the figures in the Arnolfini Marriage painting were wearing such expensive fur. I never knew about shot silk either and the cangianti two tone effect. Renaissance types were like 60s folk in tonic suits - except the Renaissance materials would cost a king's ransom. I never knew Greeks could be identified by the broad brim black hats, like characters in an Irish rebel song. Never gave much thought to the cost of colour - ultramarine from lapis lazuli and vermilion for example. Most people would be wearing wool rags. Just the one per centers in all the finery.

The presenter is no patrician type in a Savile Row suit. Sir Kenneth Clarke he ain't.

He does not do gravitas. But he is entertaining.

Often filmed with his back to the camera, talking over his shoulder like a taxi driver. ' I 'ad that Tintoretto in the back of my cab the other week'.

Oh, and he has an ear ring, dark linen suit, doc martens and suspiciously dark hair for a sixty-something, but that is probably par for the course at The Guardian.

Well worth a watch though.

Last edited by Kingston1an (2016-03-02 02:54:37)