| In the "portrait of Martha Thannstetter, née Werusin (or Merusin)", the viewer’s attention is caught mainly by her subtly characterized and elaborately wrapped headscarf. Its translucent fabric appears to be fastened with a single gold pin, and now allows her dark cloak and then the red brocade in the background to shimmer through, while several overlapping layers on her head give the impression of an opaque bonnet. Usually made of white linen and concealing the head and neck, such headgear had been considered appropriate for a married woman since the early Middle Ages. |
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