By Jessica Dawson
Friday, July 4, 2008

· In Renaissance Italy, nobles wore the finest finery ducats could buy. The artists charged with painting those dukes and princes recorded every brocaded flourish to broadcast their subjects' wealth and power. Now, a suite of handmade costumes replicates, as faithfully as possible, outfits painted by the likes of Titian and Bronzino. At the Italian Embassy, full-scale mannequins wear doublets and gowns of Federico II Gonzaga or Duchess Eleonora di Toledo, among other Italian aristocrats. Each figure stands alongside a reproduction of his or her Renaissance likeness in a curious clash of the 16th and 21st centuries.

"Splendors of the Renaissance: Princely Attire in Italy" at the Embassy of Italy, 3000 Whitehaven St. NW, visit by appointment Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-noon and 2-4 p.m., to July 31;http://www.iicwashington.esteri.it. For appointment contact:iicwashington@esteri.itor 202-518-0998, Ext. 1.