Antica di Francia 1598

This is a woodcut print entitled "Antica di Francia" by Christoph Krieger. The print depicts a woman in courtly dress. The title translates as "Ancient [Woman] of France." The print is one of many produced at the time that documented the dress codes of the European aristocracy. These prints are a fascinating record of the visual codes that distinguished social classes. Clothing served as a language of status and these images were circulated widely for the consumption of a literate public. Prints like these were also circulated amongst the artisans and merchants, and served as pattern books for the clothing and jewelry trades. So in a way, the aristocratic system of dress was also a form of advertising. Art historians analyze such images as evidence of social rituals. Primary sources, such as diaries, clothing inventories, and account books are essential for understanding how the image of the aristocracy was constructed, maintained, and circulated.