It is unfortunate that photography never existed in the times of the beautifully embroidered costumes from past centuries. We are grateful indeed, that famous court painters, such as Hans Holbein, captured in great details the intricate blackwork patterns which adorned these richly patterned costumes. They provide an insight to blackwork's practical use on clothing, the collars and cuffs richly decorated in lace effect patterns, and the reinforcement to the fabric in places where the cloth was constantly rubbed, such as the wrist and neck. Each of the portrait examples records the intricate patterns that were use, and it is because of these paintings, that the patterns have been recorded for use in today's designs.
Portrait of a lady 1520-1525
by Bernardini LuiniAndre Mellon Collection
A lady of the Bodeham Family 1540-1545
Portait of a lady in green 1528-1530
by Agnolo Bronzino, Royal Collection
Portrait of a young lady
by Batolomeo Veneto.National Gallery of Canada
Portait of the artist's sisters playing chess 1555
by Anguissola, Museum Narodowe,Poznan
Anna Meyer 1526
by Hans Holbein the Younger, Kupfer Stichkabinett,Basle
Laura Pisani 1525
by Dosso Dossi, Getty Museum
Elizabeth Brydges 1589 aged 14
by Custodis
Lady Kytson 1573
by George Gower,Tate Collection
Portrait of Lady Dacre 1540
by Hans Eworth
A lady of the Cromwell Family 1536
by Hans Holbein the Younger
Anna Meyer 1526
by Hans Holbein the Younger, Schlossmuseum,Darmstadt
Mrs Pemberton 1535
by Hans Holbein,V & A Museum,England
Simon George of Quocote 1535
by Hans Holbein,Staedelsches Kunstinstitut,Frankfurt
Henry Fitzroy,Duke of Richmond & Somerset 1534
Royal Collection
Henry Howard,Earl of Surrey 1541 by Hans Holbein,
Museu de Arte,Sao Paolo
Margaret Moore 1505-1544
by Hans Holbein the Younger
Portrait of a Lady 16th century
by Agnolo Bronzino
Mrs Mackwillian 1567
City of Machester Art Galleries
Portrait of a Lady 16th century
by Robert Peake
A Man in a Red Cap 1497-1593
by Hans Holbein the Younger
Portrait of a Woman 1503-1572
by Agnolo Bronzino
Sir Christopher Hatton 1589
Sir Henry Guildford 1527
by Hans Holbein the Younger,Royal Collection
Sir Henry Lee 1568
by Antonis Mor Van Dashorst
The Outdoor Concert 16th century
Artist Unknown
Nicolo Dell Abate 1535-1545
Royal Collection
Elizabeth Dauncey 1526
by Hans Holbein,The Royal Collection
Unknown Lady 1540
by Hans Holbein,The Royal Collection,Windsor
Dorothea Kannengiesser 1516 by
Hans Holbein,Kunstmuseum,Basel,Switzerland
Portrait of a Venetian Man 1520
by Jan Van Scorel
