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The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

Rifling through the Royal Wardrobe

Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018 – Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018

04:00 PM – 05:00 PM
US/Central

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Presented by Helga K. Aurisch, curator of European art

This lecture explores the many ways British royals have been—and continue to be—at the epicenter of new styles in fashion.

The use of clothing and jewelry as symbols of British royal power, authority, and wealth certainly predates the emergence of the painted portrait. However, it is portraiture that offers clear visual evidence of the ways elaborate clothing could represent royal power.

As seen in Tudors to Windsors: British Royal Portraits from Holbein to Warholportraits of the Tudor era (1485–1603) depict their royal subjects’ clothing in minute detail, ensuring that the viewer is well aware of the expensive fabrics, metals, and precious jewels on display. Clothing, particularly significant at this time because of the sumptuary laws that dictated which colors and fabrics people could wear based on social status, was also highly symbolic. For example, Elizabeth I adopted black and white as her colors, an association with constancy and purity highly appropriate for the Virgin Queen.

Tickets
• $5 MFAH Members
• $10 Adult Nonmembers
Reserve your seat in advance! Get tickets below.

► Plan ahead for your visit with parking information.

HOURS & ADMISSION

  • Wednesday, 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
    Thursday, 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Friday - Saturday, 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
    Sunday , 12:30 pm - 6:00 pm
    • Monday (Except selected holidays) | Closed.
    • Tuesday | Closed.
    • Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day | Closed.
  • Museum Admission

    ALL ACCESS tickets provide entry to Special Exhibitions and the MFAH Permanent Collections. Purchase online or drop by any admissions desk.
    • MFAH Member  FREE
    • ALL ACCESS (Adult 19+)  $24
    • ALL ACCESS (Senior 65+ with ID)  $20
    • ALL ACCESS (Youth 13–18)  $20
    • ALL ACCESS (Child 12 & Under)  FREE
    • *Thursday MFAH Permanent Collections (All Ages)  FREE
    • *Thursday ALL ACCESS (13 & Up)  $10
    On Thursday, admission to the MFAH Permanent Collections is free for all individuals, courtesy of Shell USA, Inc. Special Exhibitions require a separate, discounted ALL ACCESS ticket.

Directions & Parking

  • Free Parking
  • Paid Parking
  • Street Parking

Special Offers / Dining

Paolo Fronza, from Fellini Caffè, runs this sophisticated dining operation. Enjoy an array of Italian-inspired fare with a Texas flair, a European-style coffee bar, a kids menu, and much more at the MFA Café, located on the lower level of the Beck Building.

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