Ornatus Muliebris Anglicanus (The Clothing of English Women) 1640
wenceslaushollar
pencil drawn
amateur sketch
light pencil work
shading to add clarity
pencil sketch
personal sketchbook
portrait reference
pencil drawing
portrait drawing
pencil work
dress
Wenceslaus Hollar's etching *Ornatus Muliebris Anglicanus* (The Clothing of English Women) from 1640 depicts a woman in a detailed, elaborate dress popular during the early 17th century. The figure is shown from behind, highlighting the intricate lace and the voluminous skirt, a defining characteristic of the era's fashion. The etching, now in the Rijksmuseum, demonstrates Hollar's mastery of detail and his ability to capture the essence of fashion trends.
Comments
The diversity of women’s apparel in England is illustrated in this extensive costume series. Hollar represented women from all ranks of society, from the humble countrywoman 1 to the elegant noblewoman 2. The more fashionable costumes are based on eyewitness observation of the ladies at the court of the Earl of Arundel, Hollar’s primary patron. They are therefore among the more reliable visual sources for costume historians.
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