Vrouw met stijve plooikraag en grote bontmuts 1643

Wenceslaus Hollar produced this engraving of a woman with a ruff and fur hat in London in 1644. Hollar was born in Prague, but he spent much of his career in England, associated with the court of Charles I. This portrait, like many others he produced, provides a fascinating glimpse into the fashions and social status of the English elite during the mid-17th century. The elaborate ruff and fur hat signal the sitter’s wealth and position within society. Beyond its aesthetic value, this image serves as a historical document, reflecting the cultural values and social hierarchies of its time. To understand Hollar's work fully, we need to research the social history of fashion, the economics of the fur trade, and the political dynamics of the English court during the Civil War. The image creates meaning through these visual codes and cultural references.