Ebb and Flow of Fashion and Religion
Artist: Unknown
Title: Marble statue of a woman, suspected to be Themis
Date: 2nd half of the 4th Century BC, Late Classical
Link: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/03.12.17/
Comment: With the onset of concepts like epicureanism and individualism we see a “release” or freeing of form and fashion. This relaxed, garment reflects a similar mindset with regards to the Gods and the human form. The loosely draped fabric, which both clung to and exposed parts of the body, was a celebration of the human form. Since the Gods were made in man’s image and man was constructed from the Gods, fashion also served as a celebration of the Gods and conversely the human form. This moves away from the idea that only certain individuals were divinely chosen as a conduit for the Gods and more towards individual rights and abilities to worship a God directly rather than through a prophet.
Artist: Unknown
Title: Limestone statue of a veiled female votary, “Herculaneum Maiden” type statue
Date: 1st Century BC, Late Hellenistic or Republican
Link: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/74.51.2456/
Comment: A return to the stoic, rigid, stylized, and idealized is evident in this statue as people progressively refocused their attention to the Gods rather than on man as the representation or image of the Gods. If previous displays of worship, fashion, art and lifestyle were considered exuberant, decadent and pretentious then moving towards the Middle Ages we see those expressions returning to modesty, stoicism and cynicism.
Artist: Mariano Fortuny (Spanish, Granada 1871–1949 Venice)
Design House: Fortuny (Italian, founded 1906)
Title: “Delphos”
Date: 1925–49
Link: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/2001.702a/
Comment: Mariano Fortuny was one of many fashion designers who gathered inspiration retrospectively. He gives tribute to Classical Greece with the creation of this chiton gown complete with vertical pleats, probably also inspired by the pleats which seem to exist in garments, or which are at least depicted in artistic renderings. This return to modesty may also coincide with heavy moral influences and heightened religiosity.
Really interesting comments about the changing scope of religion’s influence on fashion; I am enjoying your weekly blog posts because your academic use of fashion is refreshing and insightful.
Thanks Nathan! Much appreciated!
Love the information and analysis. I’d like to see all three tied together with a thesis – you’re obviously on a trail here!
I need to continue a bit further into this semester and research I think, before I can develop a valid thesis…