Mademoiselle *** allant par la ville

A coloured print of a woman entitled, 'Mademoiselle *** allant par la ville', and inscribed, 'A paris Chez A. Trouvain rue St. Jacques au grand Monarque attenant le Mathurins avec privilege du Roy 1695'.

The young woman is wearing a mantua with stomacher and belt as well as a kind of apron that might be attached to her stomacher, or, more likely, pinned/tied on separately. Her gown is tied back to reveal a fringed petticoat and underskirt. She wears gloves and a muff around one arm, an accessory used to keep hands warm and often containing pockets for keeping necessities and scent. On her head is a fontange, a structure made from wire, lace and silk, which is covered by a veil. Her face is decorated with several patches, fake beauty marks made from fabric.

The engraver is Antoine Trouvain (c.1653 – 1708), a Frenchman specialised in engraving and publishing fashion plates and almanacs.

Further reading:
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.