Design for Man's "Medieval" Costume 1875 - 1905

Charles Bianchini made this costume design, in pen, ink, and watercolor, for a man to wear on stage, though we don't know when. The fact that the Met acquired it suggests the drawing has value as an artwork in itself. The word “medieval” in the title tells us a lot about how the past was viewed by artists and audiences, probably in France. This is not a historically accurate recreation, but a fantasy of what a medieval man might have looked like. The tunic, short skirt, and leggings might evoke a romantic vision of knights, troubadours, and chivalry. We should ask what social function this image served. Was it part of a conservative effort to celebrate a mythical past? Or does it represent an attempt to use the imagery of the past to make commentary on contemporary society? Answering these questions requires knowing the context of the production. The records of theaters and opera houses, playbills, reviews, and other historical documents would tell us more.