Ein Burgers Dochter zu Prag Civis Pragensis filia

Two plates in one mount (2002.139/259); a figure of a woman, inscribed, Ein Burgers Doch-ter zu Prag 1636/Civis Pragensis filia/W. Hollar fec: 1643, by W Hollar, Aula Veneris, 1644.

Shown is a burgher’s daughter from Prague wearing a lace-trimmed neckerchief over a fur cape. Her apron is also trimmed with lace.

The 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: Q,5.192.

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.

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