Expressing Elite Status through Clothing in Early Modern Europe

The book examines representation through clothing in the princely court of Alba Iulia during the reigns of Gabriel Bethlen (1613-1629) and Catherine of Brandenburg (1629-1630) in the Principality of Transylvania. The examination also includes the dress and appearance of the courtiers and servants. The focus, however, is on the clothing style of the two rulers. The spectacular career of Bethlen, his marriage to his second wife, Catherine, and her short reign after his death make it possible to examine status and social representation in terms of dress through particularly important examples. The representative role of the court of Transylvania grew in richness in the period beginning with the marriage of Catherine and Gabriel. The increasing political role and wealth of the Principality was manifest in the clothing of the princely couple as well as their courtiers. The fabric and color of clothes is studied in detail.

Autorentext

Éva Deák is a historian who graduated at the Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest. She got her PhD in Comparative History of Central, Southeastern and Eastern Europe at the Central European University in Budapest. This book is a publication of her doctoral thesis.