Fashion & Costume · 19th century
€ 290
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Condition report: Light foxing and mild toning in the margins. Image clean with vivid, well-preserved colors. Plate mark visible. Wide margins intact.
Cincinnati Costume Print – Antique Hand-Colored Lithograph, 1854
This antique hand-colored lithograph, published in 1854 in Album des Voyages Anciens et Modernes by Martial Ardant Frères, portrays a man from Cincinnati, a growing American city of the mid-19th century. Unlike many of the plates in the series that depict traditional or exotic costumes, this figure represents a more contemporary urban style of dress, reflecting the cultural identity of the United States at that time.
The figure is shown standing in a confident pose, wearing a wide-brimmed grey hat and a light blue jacket over a bright yellow waistcoat, fastened with a bow tie at the neck. His trousers are white, paired with black shoes, and a dark brown cape flows behind his shoulders. Around his waist is tied a vivid blue sash, giving him a touch of flourish and individuality. In one hand he holds a mandolin or lute, suggesting both leisure and refinement. Behind him, a simple house and tree set the scene, situating him in a small-town or semi-rural American environment.
Cincinnati in the mid-19th century was an important cultural and economic hub of the American Midwest, known as the "Queen City of the West." Depicting a figure from this city in a French travel album reflects the increasing European curiosity about the United States and its people. Unlike the “traditional” costumes shown in other plates, this costume is modern and cosmopolitan, emphasizing the diversity of attire represented across the globe in the album.
The hand coloring adds brightness and charm to the figure, particularly in the contrast between the yellow waistcoat, blue sash, and brown cape. This print illustrates how Europeans viewed Americans in the 1850s: stylish, self-assured, and culturally expressive. For collectors, it provides both a decorative image and a historical glimpse of early American identity as represented abroad.
Condition report: Light foxing and mild toning in the margins. Image clean with vivid, well-preserved colors. Plate mark visible. Wide margins intact.
Framing tips: A dark wood or walnut frame with a cream mat will emphasize the warm tones of the cape and waistcoat. Alternatively, a gilt frame with a blue mat will highlight the sash and create a striking, elegant presentation.
Technique: Hand-colored lithograph
Maker: Martial Ardant Frères, Paris & Limoges, 1854
