Why are women in 1500's - 1700's European paintings shown as being heavier in weight? Is this an accurate representation of how women looked at the time?

by IntoTheVoiddd
Searocksandtrees

hi! other input is welcome here, but FYI, you might be interested in a couple of earlier related discussions

I often hear people say that being overweight was seen as beautiful in the past because it signalled wealth. Is that really true?

If I called a woman "obesse" when baroque was a main trend would she take it as a compliment?