Klederdracht van Zeeland, 1857 1857

Ruurt de Vries made this print of Zeeland traditional costume in 1857. At the time, the Netherlands, like much of Europe, was consolidating its national identity, a project that involved defining and preserving regional customs. De Vries's image presents a quaint view of rural life, with meticulously rendered costumes reflecting local Zeeland style. But it's important to remember that these images often served a political purpose. By depicting regional traditions, the Dutch government sought to create a sense of national unity while also managing regional differences. To fully understand this work, we might look to sources like fashion history, regional archives, and government documents. These will help us understand the social and political context in which such images were produced and consumed. We start to see how art and culture have always played a key role in shaping social norms and national identity.