In the late 19th century, Baron Edmond de Rothschild amassed a collection of some 1,644 costume designs, spanning the mid 16th century to the beginning of the 18th. The costumes themselves having now mostly disappeared, these drawings are an invaluable record of how artists constructed entertainments for the French court, from divertissements on horseback to balls and masquerades, and (from the 17th century) elaborate musical spectacles, with singers cavorting on stage with dancers and acrobats. This display at the Louvre (28 October–31 January 2022) presents 100 highlights from Rothschild’s volumes and includes work from prominent court artists such as Francesco Primaticcio, Jacques Bellange, Daniel Rabel and Jean Bérain. Find out more from the Louvre’s website.
Preview below | View Apollo’s Art Diary here
Costume of Spring under a Grove (c. 1540), Francesco Primaticcio. Photo: © RMN- Grand Palais (musée du Louvre)/Thierry Le Mage
Egyptian playing cymbals (c. 1666), Henri Gissey. Photo: © RMN- Grand Palais (musée du Louvre)/Thierry Le Mage
Costume for a Gorgon (c. 1682), Jean Bérain. Photo: © RMN- Grand Palais (musée du Louvre)/Thierry Le Mage
Costume of Pluto for Jean Gaye in Proserpine (c. 1680), Jean Bérain. Photo: © RMN- Grand Palais (musée du Louvre)/Thierry Le Mage
Turkish Cavalier (1612–16), Jacques Bellange. Photo: © RMN- Grand Palais (musée du Louvre)/Thierry Le Mage