Fashion & Costume · 19th century
€ 290
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Condition report: Light age toning and scattered foxing in the margins. Image area clean with strong, bright colors. Plate mark visible. Paper stable with wide margins intact.
Tyrolean Woman Costume Print – Antique Hand-Colored Lithograph, 1854
This antique hand-colored lithograph, published in 1854 in Album des Voyages Anciens et Modernes by Martial Ardant Frères, depicts a woman from Tyrol dressed in her traditional regional costume. Tyrol, a mountainous region spanning parts of Austria and northern Italy, was renowned in the 19th century for its picturesque landscapes and distinctive folk traditions, which made it a popular subject in European travel literature.
The young woman is seated outdoors, resting gracefully on a grassy bank. She wears a brown skirt with a wide blue and red border, over which she has tied a neat white apron edged with lace. Her fitted red bodice is decorated with horizontal stripes and complemented by a dark shawl draped across her shoulders. Red ribbons accent the shoulders, adding liveliness to her attire. On her head she wears a broad-brimmed pink-and-white striped hat decorated with flowers, a charming detail that emphasizes the festive nature of Tyrolean dress. She holds a small bouquet of flowers in her lap, reinforcing the pastoral and folkloric character of the composition.
Traditional Tyrolean dress was often celebrated in 19th-century Europe as a symbol of rustic simplicity and cultural identity. In contrast to urban fashion, it represented a connection to nature and heritage, qualities that fascinated travelers and collectors. This lithograph is a fine example of how regional costumes were documented for European audiences, combining ethnographic accuracy with decorative appeal.
The hand-applied colors remain fresh and lively, especially in the contrast between the brown skirt, red bodice, and pastel tones of the hat. Today, the print appeals to collectors of costume history, Alpine culture, and 19th-century travel illustration. It also makes a charming decorative piece, evoking both romantic imagery of the Alps and the craftsmanship of early lithography.
Condition report: Light age toning and scattered foxing in the margins. Image area clean with strong, bright colors. Plate mark visible. Paper stable with wide margins intact.
Framing tips: A natural wood or walnut frame with a cream mat will emphasize the folkloric character and earthy tones of the costume. For a more colorful effect, a red or burgundy mat within a gilt frame will highlight the vibrancy of the bodice and hat.
Technique: Hand-colored lithograph
Maker: Martial Ardant Frères, Paris & Limoges, 1854
