Traditional Woman from Majorca – Hand-Colored Engraving, c.1820
€ 260
Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Date
1820
Mapmaker / artist
Gaté del.; Gatine sculp.; published in Paris, c.1820
Technique
Hand-colored engraving
Sheet size
35 × 26 cm (13.8 × 10.2 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-14149-20
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
A clean and well-preserved impression with excellent original color. Minor toning and a few faint spots in the margins, consistent with age. The printed image remains crisp and luminous.
About this sheet
Traditional Woman from Majorca – Hand-Colored Engraving, c.1820 This elegant hand-colored engraving, titled Costume de Majorque (Costume of Majorca), is plate No. 74 from the renowned series Costumes de divers Pays, published in Paris around 1820. Drawn by Gaté and engraved by Gatine, this piece captures a woman from the island of Majorca in her traditional attire, reflecting the refined charm and cultural richness of early 19th-century Mediterranean dress.
The woman is portrayed standing with quiet poise, wearing a finely pleated cream-colored skirt edged with decorative embroidery in pink and green scrolls. Over her dark bodice she drapes a white shawl, edged with a delicate fringe and tied beneath a blue satin bow. Around her waist, a beautifully rendered belt of gold links and tassels adds a note of sophistication, while the fan in her hand suggests refinement and confidence. Her gold bracelets and earrings add subtle touches of luxury, complementing the soft, serene palette of the composition.
This print is an outstanding example of early 19th-century costume engraving, part of a larger Romantic movement that celebrated national dress and local customs. French engravers like Gatine excelled at combining ethnographic documentation with artistic elegance, producing images that were both informative and aesthetically engaging. The series offered European audiences an artistic glimpse into the cultural variety of the world at a time when travel was still limited.
Condition report: A clean and well-preserved impression with excellent original color. Minor toning and a few faint spots in the margins, consistent with age. The printed image remains crisp and luminous.
Framing tips: Ideal for display in a gold or light wood frame with a cream or pale blue mat, which enhances the refined tones and period charm of the composition. This engraving pairs attractively with other Iberian or Mediterranean costume plates from the same series.
