Elegant Tartar Woman from Tomek: 19th-Century Hand-Colored Portrait

About this sheet

This captivating print, entitled "Femme Tartare de Tomek," illustrates a Tartar woman from Tomek, Asia, dressed in traditional attire that highlights her cultural heritage.

The Tatars are a Turkic ethnic group native to Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Historically, they have been associated with the Tartar regions within the Russian Empire, particularly in areas like Crimea (Crimean Tatars) and other regions in Russia such as Tatarstan and Bashkortostan where Volga Tatars are the majority. Tatar culture is rich in traditions, including their own language, music, and dance, and they are predominantly Muslim.

The woman's clothing is intricately detailed, featuring a richly embroidered red overcoat with black fur trim, under which a vividly adorned yellow vest and a pale blue dress can be seen. The headgear is particularly distinctive, adorned with vibrant multi-colored bands, and she is draped in a white shawl that adds a layer of elegance to her outfit. This print is part of a series created in the mid-19th century by the artist C. Dons, who specialized in ethnographic portraiture, capturing the diverse traditional costumes of various ethnic groups.

Year Published: Circa 1840s

Technique Used: Hand-colored lithography, a popular technique in the 19th century that allowed for precise detail and vibrant, lasting colors. This method involved creating an original lithograph print and then manually adding colors to enhance the visual appeal and accuracy of the portrayal.

These prints are highly valued for their historical significance and artistic quality. The detailed depiction of traditional Tartar garments, combined with the hand-colored vibrancy, makes this print a visually striking piece that not only serves as a cultural document but also as a work of art.