Jeune Fille Arabe in Traditional Attire from Wahlen's 1844 Lithographs

About this sheet

This hand-colored lithograph, titled *Jeune Fille Arabe* (Young Arab Girl), is from the Asia volume of Auguste Wahlen’s "Moeurs, Usages et Costumes de tous les Peuples de Monde" (Customs, Manners, and Dress of All the Peoples of the World), published in 1844.

The print was created by an anonymous engraver after Wahlen’s work, with artists like Evrard Duverger, L. Markaert, and R. King contributing to the collection.

Enhanced with Arabic gum on vellum paper, the lithograph offers a striking representation of an Arabian woman in traditional attire, including a striped dress, animal-print shawl, and ornate jewelry.

Cultural and Artistic Insight:

The subject's attire reflects a blend of practical clothing and decorative elements, such as the striped fabric and the leopard-patterned wrap. Her jewelry, including bracelets and a headpiece, highlights her status or cultural identity. The presence of a background with tropical trees and village buildings suggests that this scene might depict a coastal or rural area, where both traditional and more exotic elements are incorporated into daily life.

Attractiveness:
The vivid hand-coloring, along with the detailed rendering of fabric patterns and accessories, makes this print particularly appealing. The glossy finish provided by the Arabic gum adds depth to the colors, giving the illustration a luminous quality. The juxtaposition of traditional Arabian dress with the tropical setting creates a visually engaging and culturally rich composition.

Keywords for Searching:
Search terms such as "Arabian woman lithograph," "Wahlen 1844 costume print," "19th-century Arabian dress," "hand-colored lithography," and "Jeune Fille Arabe lithograph" would help collectors and researchers find similar prints that explore traditional attire and cultural diversity from this era.