Spakenburg Women’s Working Dress with Children – Dutch Costume Print 1932

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Spakenburg Women’s Working Dress with Children – Dutch Costume Print 1932

This vivid and richly detailed costume print, issued in 1932 as part of *The National Costumes of Holland* by Gratiane de Gardilanne and Elizabeth Whitney Moffatt, captures a striking representation of women’s working dress from the villages of Spakenburg and Bunschoten. The scene features a mother with two children, each in traditional attire that speaks to both the everyday functionality and visual charm of this well-preserved local dress.

The central figure—the mother—is shown wearing the typical indoor working costume worn by women in these communities. Her cap consists of a white crocheted lace overlay set atop black sateen, a dual-layer arrangement handmade by the women themselves. Though formerly it was worn in a manner that completely concealed the hair, a roll of hair has since appeared on the forehead in more recent decades, growing larger with time. This evolving detail is faithfully captured in the print and reflects subtle shifts in modesty and style preferences.

Her dress is based on the more formal Sunday best shown in Plate XXXIV, but for this working version, she wears a plain white cotton apron over the skirt. Her half-sleeves, rendered in a bright red and white checked cotton, match the material used for her daughter’s pinafore, emphasizing the familial tradition and continuity of this attire. The broad kroplap (bib-front) across her shoulders is elaborately patterned in red and blue, paired with a bright kerchief of red-and-white cotton, knotted neatly at the neck.

The baby in her arms wears a charming frock of dark green sateen with puffed sleeves, decorated in a floral pattern of green foliage with blue and red blossoms. His black satin bonnet is painted with bright flowers and partially draped with a dark blue and white handkerchief—a common practice in winter for warmth and protection. His knitted mittens (moffen), in red and blue wool, are another delightful detail.

The older child, around four or five years old, wears a bonnet of black sateen trimmed with chenille, shaped and grouped to mimic ostrich-feather edging. Her checked pinafore and blue skirt echo her mother’s outfit, while the boldly patterned kroplap completes the familial harmony of dress. On Sundays, a small gold or silver brooch would have been pinned to one side of her bonnet—an endearing detail which marks the pride and festivity of the day.

Condition:
This original 1932 lithograph is in excellent condition for its age, with vivid colors, strong lines, and no foxing or staining. The paper is lightly toned with a soft cream hue, and the edges remain clean and untrimmed. A few minimal handling marks near the margin do not affect the printed image.

Framing suggestion:
This delightful scene of intergenerational Dutch costume would be beautifully enhanced in a mid-tone oak or maple frame with a linen-textured mat. A blue or red inner liner could echo the garments’ palette, highlighting the richness of the textile details. For a more contemporary setting, a simple white or black gallery frame will allow the intricate patterns and vibrant colors to speak for themselves.