according to greenblatt, during the renaissance the upper class practiced self-fashioning. prescribed attire and behavior was created for the noblemen and women, and were represented through portraits. the ideological traits portraying masculinity were symbols of authority and power. male rulers depicted themselves in armor or with weapons. the most important characteristic attributed to women was beauty. beauty represents the concepts of purity, virtue and modesty. in portraits, women performed these traits through idealized features, fancy dresses, and elaborate jewelry. the iconography of portraits displays the gender-specific qualities prescribed during the renaissance through visual devices.