About this sheet
North African Daily Life & Costumes, Racinet Afrique Plates, Set of 3, 1888
A refined and visually engaging set of three chromolithographs from 1888, drawn from Auguste Racinet’s landmark publication Le Costume Historique. These “Afrique” plates present a nuanced and richly detailed portrayal of everyday life, traditional dress, and regional identity across North Africa and the Saharan world.
Unlike purely formal costume studies, these compositions capture figures in lived settings and natural poses. Scenes include veiled women and travelers wrapped in protective garments against the desert climate, rural families with children, and figures carrying provisions, tools, and vessels. One plate features a nomadic encampment with a striped Bedouin tent, offering a rare glimpse into communal life and shelter in the open landscape. Another highlights women in richly layered garments adorned with jewelry and textiles, seated in an interior setting that emphasizes both material culture and social presence.
The figures represent a broad cultural spectrum—from Saharan and Bedouin communities to North African urban and rural populations—depicted with attention to posture, fabric, and daily activity. Racinet’s approach combines ethnographic observation with a highly decorative sensibility, transforming these studies into balanced and visually compelling compositions.
Printed in Paris by Firmin Didot et Cie and executed in chromolithography by artists including Urrabieta and Duhamel, these works demonstrate the technical sophistication of late 19th-century color printing. The soft yet vibrant palette, combined with fine linework, gives each plate a timeless and elegant presence.
As a group, these prints form a cohesive narrative of North African life and costume, ideal for display as a curated wall set or integrated into a broader collection of ethnographic or Orientalist works.
Condition:
Good condition overall. Light age toning and occasional spotting in the margins. Minor edge wear consistent with age. The images remain clean with strong and attractive coloration.
Framing tips:
Best displayed as a unified set with consistent framing. Use wide ivory mats and dark wood or subtle gilt frames. A horizontal arrangement or gallery grouping enhances their narrative flow and visual impact.
Special note: This is an original antique engraving, not a reproduction. All items we offer are authentic period works of art over 100 years old. The prints are sold unframed; any framed images are shown for presentation and interior inspiration only and may not always be to scale.
