Head and Shoulders of a Woman Wearing an Elaborate Headdress

At this time, Christian teaching on modesty, piety and expectations of women, dictated that married or religious women’s heads should be covered with little hair showing. Clothing was an indicator of social and economic status as well as a symbol of faith. Headdresses, such as this one, could also provide artistic opportunity. Artists could study movement and fabric, and use headdress styles to share messages about faith and fashion.