The aim was to enable Cicci's family to join the nobility, which he actually succeeded in doing. "This 18th century forgery by an Italian counterfeiter almost led historians down the wrong track ...

During the late 18th century, Cicci forged around 200 documents ... and heirs to land as an attempt to boost his family into the ranks of nobility. His efforts to raise his family's social status ...

The demise of the Old Polish outfit began toward the end of the 18th century, when Poland was partitioned by Russia, Prussia and Austro-Hungary. At the time, French fashion was becoming more and more ...

Throughout the 18th century, France faced a mounting economic ... By 1789 France was broke. The nobility refused to pay more taxes, and the peasants simply couldn't. Even the opulent King Louis ...

Poverty was a popular subject for artists in 18th century Italy ... to individual personality as was seen in portraits of nobility. The circumstances of their creation remain mysterious today ...