Plebeia mulieris Vestitus in Silesia; Sponsa nubentis ornatus in Siles; Plebeia mulier in Bohemia; Vir plebeius in Bohemia
Abraham de Bruyn Flemish
Publisher Joos de Bosscher Netherlandish
Not on view
Engraving, part of 'Omnium pene Europae, Asiae, Aphricae atque Americae Gentium Habitus' (Costumes of the various nations of Europe, Asia, Africa and America), a series of prints representing figures from various parts of the world, engraved by Abraham de Bruyn and published by Joos de Bosscher in 1580.
This engraving represents a Silesian plebeian woman, a Silesian Bride, a Bohemian plebeian woman, and a Bohemian plebeian man. On the left, the Silesian woman wears a long dress with wide lapels, an apron above the skirt with thin, vertical stripes, and a jeweled belt from which hangs a bag at her right hip. The collar of her dress is short and simple, and the cuffs are ruffled. She wears a fur-trimmed cloak and matching fur-trimmed hat.
On the center-left, the Silesian bride wears a dress with wide collar, bordered with a pattern of lozenges, short cap sleeves over long, tight sleeves with cuffs embroidered with strips of pearls, and long skirt with train and thin, vertical stripes. Her hair is long and curled, crowned by a jeweled headdress with pearls and stones. She wears a pair of beaded bracelets on each wrist, and carries her gloves in her hands. A jeweled belt is tied with the loose end hanging on her left hip.
On the center-right, the Bohemian woman wears a short cloak with fur collar and striped borders over a long dress with striped borders and long, pleated apron. Her hair is covered by a headscarf, which is tucked into her ruff, and above which is a bell-shaped hat with a pattern of lozenges on the border.
On the right is the Bohemian man, wearing a long jerkin over wide hose with ribbons and bows, and a large overcoat hanging on his shoulders. He wears a large ruff, which matches the ruffled cuffs of his doublet. The stockings are tight and shoes flat. He wears a hat and carries a sword on his right hip.