Antique Costume Print of Mendoza – Young Woman in Traditional Dress, 1854
€ 290
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Date
1854
Sheet size
27.2 × 18 cm (10.7 × 7.1 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-14120-1
Condition
Condition report: Light overall toning to the paper with minor scattered spots, typical of prints of this age. Plate mark faintly visible. Colors bright and well-preserved. Margins intact with only slight edge wear.
About this sheet
Antique Costume Print of Mendoza – Young Woman in Traditional Dress, 1854
This hand-colored lithograph presents a striking portrayal of a young woman from Mendoza, Argentina, dressed in her traditional attire for a promenade. Published in 1854 in *Album des Voyages Anciens et Modernes*, issued by Martial Ardant Frères in Paris and Limoges, the print belongs to a richly illustrated travel book that documented regional costumes and cultural life from across the world.
The composition depicts a young lady in a voluminous rose-colored gown with long puffed sleeves, cinched at the waist with a green belt. Draped over her head and shoulders is a fine lace mantilla, bordered with blue and floral embroidery, which enhances the elegance of her appearance. She holds a hand-painted fan adorned with a small pastoral scene, while a white handkerchief rests delicately in her other hand. Her refined posture, together with the elegance of her garments, captures both the social grace and fashion of the mid-19th century in Mendoza.
Costume studies such as this were more than decorative—they offered European readers a glimpse into the diverse attire and customs of distant lands during a period when illustrated travel albums enjoyed great popularity. The work also reflects the period’s fascination with South America, at a time when the region was defining its national and regional identities after independence. Mendoza, a city nestled at the foot of the Andes, was known for its vineyards, cultural life, and as a gateway to Chile through the high mountain passes. The costume reflects both Spanish colonial influences and local traditions.
This lithograph is a fine example of the artistry and precision of 19th-century French color printing. The hand-applied colors remain vibrant, with careful attention to the folds of the gown and the lace patterning. Today, such prints appeal both to collectors of costume history and those interested in South American culture, offering a decorative and historically meaningful artwork suitable for framing and display.
Condition report: Light overall toning to the paper with minor scattered spots, typical of prints of this age. Plate mark faintly visible. Colors bright and well-preserved. Margins intact with only slight edge wear.
Framing tips: A dark wood or mahogany frame with a cream or soft off-white mat will highlight the richness of the rose-colored dress. Alternatively, a gilt frame with a pale blue mat can draw attention to the embroidered edge of the mantilla, enhancing the refined elegance of the composition.
