Officers in Peascod Doublets, Hendrick Goltzius, 1583
engraving, h 280mm × w 171mm More details
From the beginning of the 16th century, good posture dictated that the shoulders should be thrown back and the breast thrust out. This contemporary ideal of beauty was emphasized by padding the front of the doublet, creating a peascod belly. Goltzius and De Gheyn exploited this fashion to make their officers appear more courageous and combative.
