ca. 1575 Louise de Lorraine by Jean Rabel (Bibliothèque nationale de France)
This color drawing of Louise de Lorraine shows the neckline ruffs that leave much of the neck bare in a triangle above the crescent. It also shows the fashionable coiffure.
Blum describes this dress in Laver, ed., Costume of the Western World, p.85 (USA ed., 1951) - "Low-necked quilted bodice. Lace-trimmed ruff attached to the shoulders by tulle. Upswept hair with a narrow veil behind the head." The partlet is parted to open up the throat area that, combined with the wide opening of her neckline, draws attention to her chest. The sleeves are decorated with aiglets, the neckline enhanced with clusters of jewels, and the ruff is enhanced with lace. She wished to impress her viewers.
Keywords: 1575, Rabel, Louise of Lorraine, Louise de Lorraine, Queen Louise of France, reine Louise de France, Lorraine family, Valois family, French, crescent neckline, ruff, lace, straight coiffure, jeweled attifet, veil, necklace, draped, necklace, jeweled neckline, aglets, partlet