Titian, 1553: Portrait Of A Lady In White

This is the main silhouette I’m going for: low décolleté, very wide shoulder, very flattened torso (almost English style), low waist point, skirt pleated to bodice all around, narrow ladder lace closing. Simple design.

Giovanni Antonio Fasolo, 1560s: Family Portrait (detail)

This is very similar to what I want to make, except front lacing like the Lady in White. I like it's simplicity of design while letting the fabulous fabric speak the loudest.

Titian, circa 1545: Portrait of Titian's daughter Lavinia

This dress has a very nice sleeve, fuller than English styles at this time. Also, great hair.

Paris Bordone, 1545-50: Balia dei Medici

This is a very inspiring red silk to me. I love the sheen and the color. I also like the lace cuff.

Titian, 1555-58: Girl with A Basket of Fruits

This one has great sleeves and shows the uniquely Venetian pointed waist in the back.

Paolo Veronese, 1560: Bella Nani

This has so many lovely elements, where do I begin?

Giovanni Antonio Fasolo, 1565: "The Concert" (fresco detail)

This dress has lovely brocade fabric, simply designed dress with the narrow ladder lacing, full sleeves gathered or pleated into a wide décolleté. The only element differing from my desired design is the scooped waist.

Ludovico Pozzoserrato (Ludwig Toeput), 1580s: A Concert in the Garden (detail)

This again shows the pointed waist in back, and the squared off back of the bodice. Sleeves are more fitted than most.

Giorgio Vasari, 1560s: Pope Alexander III receiving the submission of the Emperor Frederick I (detail)

This painting was the basis for my partlet. I like the gold netting in a more horizontal design rather than the diamond design of the Veronese fresco.

Paolo Veronese, 1561: Detail from fresco

This fresco combines so many of the lements I like in one dress. The open ladder lacing, the wide decolette, the full skirt, the jeweled girdle, the paned sleeve heads, the simple pearl earrings and choker. This is a gem!

Hendrik Goltzius, 1580: The Venetian Ball

This has all the elements I like on many of the dresses. By the 1580’s the ladies are less corseted/curvier and only one woman has a front laced dress. But they all still have the pointed waist back, wide décolleté, braided hair with no hats, skirts pleated to the bodices and fuller sleeves slashed near the shoulders.