Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Date
1854
Mapmaker / artist
Martial Ardant Frères, Paris & Limoges, 1854
Technique
Hand-colored lithograph
Sheet size
27.2 × 18 cm (10.7 × 7.1 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-14120-7
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
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.
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.
