Scarves and shawls in art.

December 4, 2025

Since the individual only came into focus in art during the Renaissance, fashionable details were only highlighted from this era onwards.

And before scarves and shawls even appear, one adorns oneself with other accessories.

This refers to fashionable details such as sashes (diagonally worn bands), ruffs (collars), ermine trim (fur), or lace collars (col dentelles). For example, Hortensia del Prado proudly displays a ruff (Gorzius Geldorp, 1599), and Maria Trip (Rembrandt, 1639) wears a lace collar; both ladies are from the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.

Scarves and shawls apparently only became fashionable in the 17th century. And it seems that men were the trendsetters: scarves were the forerunners of neckties, as they first appeared on men. I went in search of clues and would like to show you some beautiful examples I recently came across in Vienna.

From my point of view, the scarf or silk shawl was initially more of a fashionable accessory for men before it conquered women's necks.

The 'Vienna Shawl' probably also played a significant role in this conquest:
At the beginning of the 19th century, Viennese women adorned themselves with cashmere shawls. Originally from India, these shawls were particularly light and soft. Soon, they were also being produced in Europe, initially in France. Production began in Austria at the beginning of the 19th century. The entrepreneur Rudolf von Arthaber, pictured in one of the photos, became very successful with them; under his leadership, the shawl became an export item and, as the 'Viennese Shawl,' the epitome of elegance.

Perhaps you know of other examples from art. Please let me know.