Jeune Fille Arabe in Traditional Attire from Wahlen's 1844 Lithographs
€ 140
Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Date
1844
Sheet size
25.7 × 17 cm (10.1 × 6.7 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-12722-64
What the condition grades mean
Excellent
Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
Very good
Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
Good
Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
Fair
Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.
Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.
Condition
Given age. Faintly browned, and with some small stains. Some glue remains (from binding) in the far left margin (not affecting image). General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Please study the scans.
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.
