The Middle Ages and The Renaissance
In 1464, Pope Paul II decreed that cardinals should no longer wear purple, and instead wear scarlet, from kermes and alum, since the deep Tyrian purple from Byzantium was no longer available. Bishops and archbishops, of a lower status than cardinals, were assigned the color purple, but not the rich Tyrian purple. They wore cloth dyed first with the less expensive indigo blue, then overlaid with red made from kermes dye.
While purple was worn less frequently by Medieval and Renaissance kings and princes, it was worn by the professors of many of Europe's new universities. Their robes were modeled after those of the clergy, and they often square violet or purple caps and robes, or black robes with purple trim. Purple robes were particularly worn by students of divinity.
Purple and violet also played an important part in the religious paintings of the Renaissance. Angels and the Virgin Mary were often portrayed wearing purple or violet robes.
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A 12th century painting of Saint Peter consecrating Hermagoras, wearing purple, as a bishop.
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Madonna and child by Giotto (1266–1320)
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In the Ghent Altarpiece (1422) by Jan van Eyck, the popes and bishops are wearing wearing purple robes.
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A purple-clad angel from the Resurrection of Christ by Raphael (1483–1520)
Read more about this topic: Purples, In Art and History
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