Femme de qualité en echarpe

A print of a woman described as 'Femme de qualité en echarpe', inscribed, Chez Nicolas Visscher, after Romain de Hooghe, Amsterdam, c. 1700.

The woman is wearing a gown, possibly a mantua, which is pinned back, showing her fringed underskirt. On her head is a commode, a structure of wires decorated with ribbons and lace. Over this is another veil. She carries a muff, which could contain several pockets for small necessities and scent.

The original of this print was made by Romeyn de Hooghe (1645-1708), a Dutch printmaker who was also a painter, sculptor, medal maker, goldsmith, etcher and publisher. He was the nephew of the Dutch painter Pieter de Hoogh. Romeyn left for Paris in 1668 and returned to the Netherlands (Haarlem) in 1687. He opened a drawing school in 1688 and was a propagandist for William of Orange. The maker of 2002.139/288, a copy of the original made by De Hooghe, was Nicolaes Visscher II, a Dutch printmaker. He was the son of Nicolaes I, who was also a print publisher. Nicolaes II sold old plates made by his family at auction. His wife, Elisabeth Verseyl, continued the business after his death.

British Museum Online Catalogue, Romeyn de Hooghe and Nicolaes Visscher.

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.