Fashion & Costume · 19th century
€ 230
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Age-related toning and occasional light spotting to the paper, with minor edge wear consistent with age. Overall in good condition with attractive original hand-coloring and wide margins.
Young Roman Woman of Nettuno Antique Costume Lithograph c.1852
This graceful nineteenth-century hand-colored lithograph depicts a “Jonge Romeinsche Vrouw van Nettuno,” translated from Dutch as a young Roman woman from Nettuno, the historic coastal town south of Rome. The figure is shown elegantly dressed in richly colored traditional attire, carrying a bouquet of flowers while gesturing delicately with one hand, capturing the refined romanticism characteristic of mid-nineteenth century European costume illustration.
The costume is especially striking for its regional headdress, vibrant red gown, embroidered bodice, and flowing blue sash. Such attire reflects the fascination nineteenth-century artists and publishers had with local dress traditions across Italy and the Mediterranean. During this period, costume prints served both as ethnographic studies and decorative works of art, appealing to collectors interested in travel, culture, and the picturesque traditions of Europe.
Nettuno and the surrounding Roman countryside were particularly admired by foreign artists and travelers undertaking the Grand Tour. Rural inhabitants were frequently portrayed in idealized traditional clothing, symbolizing authenticity, beauty, and the lingering classical charm associated with Italy. The floral bouquet and elegant pose lend this composition a theatrical quality, while the subtle hand-coloring enhances the decorative appeal of the image.
The lithographic process allowed artists to create delicate outlines with expressive detail, later enriched by hand-applied color. The generous blank margins surrounding the figure emphasize the elegance of the composition and make the work highly suitable for framing either individually or within a collection of antique costume and ethnographic prints.
The print is an original antique lithograph, not a reproduction. All items we offer are authentic period works of art over 100 years old. The piece is sold unframed; any framed images are shown for presentation and interior inspiration only and may not always be to scale.
Condition: Age-related toning and occasional light spotting to the paper, with minor edge wear consistent with age. Overall in good condition with attractive original hand-coloring and wide margins.
Framing tips: Particularly attractive in a lightly gilt, walnut, or black frame with a warm ivory mat. Works beautifully in interiors inspired by Italian, Mediterranean, or Grand Tour aesthetics.
Technique: Original hand-colored lithograph
Maker: Dutch, circa 1852
