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Rare 1932 Dutch Print: Huizen Women's Modern Dress with Lace Caps & Aprons
This charming original 1932 lithograph features three women from the fishing village of Huizen, a community situated on the southern shore of the former Zuider Zee, in traditional attire known as the "modern dress." This region was known for its strong adherence to tradition, with inhabitants preserving customs long after they had faded elsewhere. The strict Calvinist character of Huizen gave rise to a costume that, although derived from bourgeois fashions of the 1840s, had a distinctive modesty and elegance.
The focal point of the image is the characteristic Huizen lace cap — delicate, broad, and framing the face with exquisite transparency. These caps, worn over under-caps of black and white crochet, reflect not only stylistic but also moral values of modesty and piety. While the older women in Huizen wore smaller caps, the younger women, like those in this print, favored the larger, untrimmed versions for Sundays, completing the ensemble with precisely arranged hair and symbolic ribbon bows at the collar.
The women are dressed in black thibet wool bodices with strongly gathered shoulders and cuffs, paired with full skirts made from the same material. These gathered elements provide a soft, voluminous silhouette, both graceful and demure, marking a subtle departure from more elaborate earlier Dutch costumes. Each woman's apron tells its own story: the left-hand figure wears a Sabbath-day apron of black thibet with stitched horizontal lines and a blue silk waistband; the center figure wears a light blue woollen apron traditionally worn during the signing of the marriage contract — a garment later repurposed into a christening robe. The right-hand figure wears a checked blue and white cotton apron, typical of everyday working wear, giving a glimpse into domestic rhythms of Huizen life.
The women are seated on rustic wooden chairs, each absorbed in a domestic task — knitting or embroidery — their expressions calm and contemplative. Their attire, posture, and tasks form a cohesive narrative that speaks of continuity, community, and the enduring rhythm of village life.
This lithograph is from the rare 1932 limited-edition publication The National Costumes of Holland by Gratiane de Gardilanne and Elizabeth Whitney Moffatt, printed in only 500 copies. It is a vivid and historically rich portrayal of Huizen's uniquely modest and elegant local dress.
Framing Tips:
For optimal presentation, consider a double mat in ivory and soft blue to echo the hues of the aprons and lacework. A traditional dark wood or ebonized frame will complement the black garments while keeping the focus on the detailed lace caps and facial expressions. Non-reflective glass is recommended to preserve the subtle shading and color work of the lithograph.
This original lithograph is in excellent condition, with strong, unfaded colors and no foxing or creases. The plate margins are clean, and the paper retains its original texture and crispness. Suitable for framing and display.
