Fashion & Costume · 19th century
€ 270
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Good condition for age. Light, even age-related toning and minor scattered foxing, primarily in the margins. Colors remain attractive and well preserved. No major tears or losses observed.
This attractive matched pair of original 19th-century color prints depicts a rural woman and man in traditional dress from Upper Austria (Oberösterreich), specifically the Traunkreis region, and is dated 1876. Shown as complementary full-length figures, the prints present a Bauernfrau (peasant woman) and Bauer (peasant man), each portrayed individually yet conceived as a harmonious pair.
The female figure is shown standing in profile, dressed in a dark traditional skirt with apron, shawl, and a distinctive regional headdress accented with ribbons and decorative elements. Her posture and upward gaze lend the image a calm dignity. The male figure appears in a relaxed stance, wearing a long coat, broad-brimmed hat, decorated waistcoat, and sturdy boots, holding a folded umbrella. Together, the two prints offer a balanced and highly decorative representation of rural life and costume in late 19th-century Austria.
These images belong to the rich tradition of Austro-Hungarian costume and genre prints produced during a period of heightened interest in regional identity, folklore, and ethnographic documentation. At the same time, they were intended as refined decorative works for middle-class interiors, combining documentary accuracy with visual elegance. The soft, harmonious coloring and clear outlines make the pair especially appealing for wall display.
As a set, the prints work beautifully hung side by side, offering symmetry and narrative cohesion. They are well suited to classic, country-house, alpine, or eclectic interiors and also appeal to collectors of European folk art and costume imagery.
Condition report:
Good condition for age. Light, even age-related toning and minor scattered foxing, primarily in the margins. Colors remain attractive and well preserved. No major tears or losses observed.
Framing tips:
Best presented as a pair with generous off-white or light cream mats. Natural wood, walnut, or muted gilt frames complement the warm tones and traditional character. Symmetrical hanging enhances their decorative impact.
Technique: Chromolithography
Maker: Central European publisher, Austria, dated 1876
