Engelse dame in een winters kostuum 1644

This print of an English lady in winter costume was made by Wenceslaus Hollar. He was a master of etching, a printmaking technique that uses acid to create lines in a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. Here, the stark contrasts and fine lines capture the textures and weight of the lady’s fur-lined coat and muff. Consider the context of this image: clothing production in the 17th century was a labour-intensive activity. The textiles would have been hand-woven, and the furs carefully sourced and prepared. Wearing such garments was a display of wealth and status, signifying access to resources and skilled labour. The lady’s masked face adds an air of mystery, typical of Hollar, inviting us to consider the social performance of identity and class in his time. By focusing on the materials and the making, we can appreciate how this print not only depicts fashion, but also reflects the economic and social realities of the time, blurring the line between art and craft.