Nobilium in Belgio Utriusque Sexus Ornatus, from Fashions of Different Nations 1580 - 1634

Pieter de Jode I made this engraving, *Nobilium in Belgio Utriusque Sexus Ornatus*, sometime around the turn of the 17th century. The title translates roughly to “Nobles of Both Sexes in Belgian Clothing.” It's fascinating to consider the labor involved in creating prints like this. Each line you see was carefully incised into a copper plate, a painstaking process demanding immense skill. The image would then have been printed onto paper. Here, the material and method elevate clothing into a status symbol, quite literally etched in history. The weight of the garments worn by this couple is palpable; the folds and textures meticulously rendered through de Jode’s mastery. The work prompts us to consider the social context of fashion and the amount of work involved in the production process. It also forces us to see the image as an early form of documentation. Ultimately, this print is a testament to both de Jode’s artistry, and the skilled labor required to produce an exquisite piece of cultural record.