Ornatus Muliebris Anglicanus (The Clothing of English Women) 1640

Wenceslaus Hollar created this engraving, “Ornatus Muliebris Anglicanus,” which translates to "The Clothing of English Women," as part of a larger series on European costume. Hollar, who was born in Prague, spent a significant part of his career in England, documenting its society and culture. This particular engraving depicts a woman, perhaps of the working class, carrying a basket laden with goods. What is striking is the simplicity of her attire, juxtaposed against the elaborate fashions of the English elite. Hollar’s series, made during a time of immense social stratification, can be interpreted as a kind of proto-sociological study. It offers a glimpse into the lives of women from various social strata. The clothing serves as an immediate signifier of identity and social standing. Consider how such images might have circulated and been consumed during this period. What did it mean to represent English women, their labor and their identities, in this way? In the end, Hollar invites us to consider the nuances of identity and representation within the broader spectrum of English society.