1620 Elegance: The Attire of a Painter's Muse Engraved, circa 1756
€ 270
Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Date
1620
Sheet size
32 × 24 cm (12.6 × 9.4 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-13675-40
What the condition grades mean
Excellent
Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
Very good
Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
Good
Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
Fair
Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.
Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.
Condition
Good, especially considering age. Vivid colors. One damp stain or light browing outside the plate mark, slightly touching the image. Overal minor soiling due to handling. Study the images carefully.
About this sheet
This hand-colored print is labeled "Habit of Rubens Wife, in 1620." It depicts a woman dressed in the style that would have been fashionable among the upper echelons of society in the early 17th century, which may be indicative of the kind of attire that might have been worn by Isabella Brant, the first wife of the renowned Flemish painter Peter Paul Rubens.
The clothing style is elaborate, with a richly decorated bodice and a voluminous skirt, a common fashion of the time. The outfit is accessorized with a wide-brimmed hat adorned with feathers, a detail that adds to the luxurious impression of the attire.
These kinds of prints serve as valuable historical records of fashion and social customs. They offer insight into the materials, colors, and styles that were in vogue during the period and reflect the societal status and personal tastes of the individuals they portray. Hand-coloring adds a layer of artistry to the prints, making them vibrant pieces of historical documentation.
The place of issue is London, and the publisher is T. Jefferys, known for their work in the mid-18th century. This suggests that the image is most likely an engraving that was made to illustrate the fashions of the upper classes of the past century to a contemporary audience. The text on the image is a mix of English and French, which indicates that the target audience might have been bilingual or that the publishers catered to both English and French-speaking clientele. The hand-coloring is original and likely made in the year it was published.
