Figures & Portraits · 16th century
€ 190
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Good, especially considering age. Vivid colors. One large damp stain outside the plate mark, not touching the image. Overal minor soiling due to handling. Study the images carefully.
The image is a colored print depicting a "Lady of Quality in Burgundy in 1577," as indicated by the title below the illustration. The lady is dressed in a fashion typical of the late 16th century, with a focus on both opulence and form.
She wears a floor-length dress with a tight-fitting bodice and voluminous sleeves, which are puffed at the shoulders and fitted from the elbow to the wrist, a common style of the period. The bodice and sleeves are in a vibrant pink hue, while the skirt is a rich golden color, reflecting the status and wealth implied by the title "Lady of Quality." The skirt of the dress is held up slightly, revealing an underlayer or petticoat of a similar pink shade as the bodice.
The lady's attire is accessorized with a long, possibly pearl, necklace that hangs mid-torso. She also dons a wide-brimmed hat adorned with what appears to be blue ribbons or feathers, which complements the outfit and was likely a fashionable statement at the time.
Her hair is not fully visible, as it is covered by the hat and a veil or wimple that frames her face and falls onto her shoulders, which was typical headwear for women of the era. Her facial expression is poised and direct, with a hint of a smile, meeting the viewer's gaze confidently.
The print is likely from a series or collection, considering the style and presentation. It's an example of the historical interest in past fashions and a document of cultural heritage, likely created for educational or decorative purposes.
The place of issue is London, and the publisher is T. Jefferys, known for their work in the mid-18th century. This suggests that the image is most likely an engraving that was made to illustrate the fashions of the upper classes of the past century to a contemporary audience. The text on the image is a mix of English and French, which indicates that the target audience might have been bilingual or that the publishers catered to both English and French-speaking clientele. The hand-coloring is original and likely made in the year it was published.
