Dame de Strasbourg allant par la Ville 1662

This print, titled "Dame de Strasbourg allant par la Ville," was created anonymously using engraving techniques. The design is incised into a metal plate, likely copper, with a tool called a burin, and then inked and printed onto paper. Look closely, and you'll see the remarkable level of detail achieved through this process. The lines define the textures and patterns of the woman's clothing, from the ruff around her neck to the heavy fabric of her gown. The engraver would have required not only technical skill, but also a deep understanding of the way that textiles drape and reflect light. Consider the social context of this print, too. Clothing was not just a matter of personal taste, but an indicator of status and wealth. The labor involved in producing such elaborate garments would have been considerable, from the cultivation of raw materials like flax or wool, to the spinning, weaving, and tailoring. So this image isn't just a portrait, it's a document of a particular moment in the history of fashion, labor, and class.