Plebeia Metensis, Vesuntina, Femina Metensis

Designer Jean Jacques Boissard French
Engraver Julius Goltzius Netherlandish
Publisher Caspar Rutz Netherlandish
1581
Not on view
Engraving, part of 'Habitus variarum orbis gentium' (Costumes of the various peoples of the world), representing the costumes of men and women from various parts of the world, engraved after designs by Boissard and published by Rutz in 1581.

This engraving represents a bourgeoise woman from Metz, a woman from Besancon, and a woman from Metz. The first, on the left, wears a sleeveless mantle with fur trimmings over a long dress with ruff collar and long puff sleeves trimmed with fur and ruffles on the cuffs. A large headdress with fur trimmings covers her hair.

On the center, the woman from Besancon wears a dress with train and ruff collar, a netted partlet, long, bell sleeves over long puff sleeves, trimmed with bows on the shoulders. She lifts the skirt of her dress with her right hand to reveal a petticoat with a brocaded floral pattern. She wears a long chain necklace and a matching belt, at the edge of the bodice. Her hair is tied up, decorated with a sort of horn shape on the sides, and covered with a brocaded cap with a floral pattern.

On the right, the woman from Metz wears a long dress with high ruff collar, long puff sleeves and long apron, made with a plain fabric, and a large headdress with loose fabric edges.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Plebeia Metensis, Vesuntina, Femina Metensis
  • Designer: Jean Jacques Boissard (French, 1528–1602)
  • Engraver: Julius Goltzius (Netherlandish, died ca. 1595)
  • Publisher: Caspar Rutz , Mechelen (Malines)
  • Date: 1581
  • Medium: Engraving
  • Dimensions: Image: 9 3/16 × 12 1/8 in. (23.4 × 30.8 cm)
    Frame: 10 5/8 × 13 13/16 in. (27 × 35.1 cm)
    Sheet: 21 5/16 × 15 3/4 in. (54.2 × 40 cm)
    Book: 21 7/8 × 16 3/4 × 1 15/16 in. (55.5 × 42.5 × 5 cm)
  • Classifications: Books, Prints, Ornament & Architecture
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1921
  • Object Number: 21.44(27)
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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