Vrouw in Italiaanse klederdracht c. 1847 - 1863

Johannes Christiaan d' Arnaud Gerkens created this print of a "Woman in Italian Costume". The image gives us a glimpse into the 19th century European fascination with regional and national identities, as well as the exoticization of foreign cultures. This work participates in a long tradition of depicting women through the male gaze. Here, the subject is presented as picturesque, embodying the stereotypical notions of Italian femininity of the period. Her clothing, while presented as traditional, is undoubtedly stylized for the consumption of a Northern European audience, glossing over the complexities of Italian culture. While appearing conventional, images like this also played a role in shaping perceptions and understandings of cultural identity. They both maintained and challenged existing ideas about gender, nationality, and class. Consider how the woman’s posture and expression invite the viewer to engage with her as an individual, while simultaneously reducing her to a symbol of her culture.