Ein Burgers oder khauffmans fraw zu Antouff Civis aut Mercatoris Antwerpiensis Uxor

Two plates in one mount (other print: 2002.139/253); a figure of a woman, inscribed, Ein Burgers oder khauffmans fraw zu Antouff/Civis aut Mercatoris Antwerpiensis Uxor/W Hollar fecit, by W Hollar, Aula Veneris, 164?.

The woman has her dress pinned up, to allow her to walk and to show off her decorated underskirt. Around her neck are several layers; first a partlet, to cover her bust and make her dress more modest and the second a neckerchief; both garments made of linen and often trimmed with lace around the edges. The fur muff keeps her hands warm, but could also have contained several pockets for the keeping of necessities and scent. On her head she has two pieces of cloth and a houpette.

maker of this print is Wenceslaus Hollar (1607 – 1677), a draughtsman and etcher from Prague. Mainly active in Germany, he visited the Netherlands in 1634 and joined the service of Thomas Howard, Earl of Arundel in 1636. The earl brought the artist to London where he focused mainly on book-illustration and cartography. He joined Lord Henry Howard in his expedition to Tangiers, but afterwards continued his work as an illustrator. He died in London in reduced circumstances.

British Museum Online Catalogue, Wenceslaus Hollar. Print Museum Number: 1850,0223.335.

Colas, R., Bibliographie Générale du Costume et de la Mode. Description des suites, recueils, séries, revues et livres Français et étrangers relatifs au costume civil, militaire et religieux, aux modes, aux coiffures et aux divers accessoires de l’habillement, avec une table méthodique et un index alphabétique, Paris 1933, entry 1465; 1466; 1467.

Reynolds, A., In fine Style. The Art of Tudor and Stuart Fashion, London 2013.

Ribeiro, A., Fashion and Fiction. Dress in Art and Literature in Stuart England, London 2005.