Mulier Basiliensis (Woman of Basel) 1644 - 1816

Wenceslaus Hollar created this etching, "Mulier Basiliensis," in 1644. Note how the composition is dominated by the figure, centrally placed and rigidly posed. The fine, precise lines articulate the textures of her garments, from the soft fur hat to the intricate folds of her dress. The geometric and linear precision divides the figure into distinct segments, almost as if dissecting the cultural identity of this Basel woman through the material representation of her clothing. The details of her attire, from the high collar to the layered skirts, aren’t merely decorative but serve as signifiers of status and regional identity. Hollar uses line and form to construct not just an image, but a statement about cultural representation. "Mulier Basiliensis" prompts us to consider how identity is constructed, consumed, and communicated through visual culture.