Figuren in zeventiende-eeuwse kleding 1852 - 1859

Cornelis Springer made this watercolor drawing of figures in seventeenth-century clothing sometime in the 1800s. The loose application of the watercolor pigment creates a lively scene, full of implied movement. The quick, light strokes emphasize the figures' garments, which define their status and social roles. Their various textures – from the fine lace collars to the heavy, earthy boots – suggest the labor involved in producing them. Springer's choice of watercolor, a medium often associated with preparatory sketches, hints at the amount of work that went into Dutch society's fashion system. In the 1600s, the Dutch Golden Age, the textile industry flourished, creating a culture of both production and consumption. Garments were not just functional, but symbols of wealth and identity. Springer's rendering reveals a society deeply invested in the performance of status, with clothing as its most visible tool. Thinking about the making and wearing of garments, and its cultural contexts, helps us recognize the level of intention and skill present in this drawing.