Een man en drie vrouwen gekleed volgens de Duitse mode in Danzig, ca. 1580 1872 - 1875

Around 1580, an anonymous artist created this print, depicting fashion in Danzig, now Gdańsk, Poland, reflecting the German style. Each figure represents a specific social class and marital status: a merchant, a noble married woman, a common woman, and a Spanish woman. The clothing of each figure signifies their economic standing and moral virtue. The image showcases not just attire but also the socio-economic dynamics of the time. Gendered expectations are woven into each outfit, dictating roles and behaviors. Wealth and status are communicated through color, fabric, and embellishments. It's tempting to imagine how these clothes felt, restrictive or liberating, depending on the wearer's position in society. Ultimately, this print offers a window into the complex interplay of identity and society during the Renaissance, revealing how clothing could simultaneously express individuality and enforce conformity.