Habit of the Duke of Venice

by Thomas Jefferys

"Habit of the Duke of Venice," an outstanding copper plate engraving from the celebrated English cartographer and geographer Thomas Jefferys, dates from around 1757 in London and is part of the series entitled "A Collection of the Dresses of Different Nations." This engraving reveals an insightful mid-18th century portrait of the ceremony associated with the power of the Venice Duke.

The most striking feature about this engraving is the dedication of Jefferys to historical authenticity during the period of the Enlightenment. Unlike other forms of artistic representation, the engraving depicts the distinctive attire that was worn by the Doge, such as the famous horn-shaped bonnet or the corno ducale along with the luxurious robes decorated with ermine fur. The attention to detail in the clothing textures in the form of the elaborate brocades can be attributed to the excellent craftsmanship of the Jefferys workshop.