Melitea siue Maltana mulier Vulgari; Maura Tripolitidis amictus communis; Maurus Algerianus; Algerianum mancipium
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 'vulgar' woman from Malta, a Moorish woman, an Algerian Moor, and an Algerian slave. On the left, the woman from Malta wears a long-sleeved long robe with high collar and a veil on her head and shoulders, both with thin stripes on the border. Her shoes are flat and with rounded toes.
The Moorish 'commoner' wears an ankle-length robe with long bell sleeves, with two pairs of thin stripes on the boder, and her head wrapped in a headscarf. A high waist is marked with a fabric belt. Her feet are bare, and in her arms she holds a young boy, who wears a robe similar to hers.
The Algerian Moor wears a short-sleeved cuirasse with skirt. The collar has a pattern of lozenges and is jeweled with pearls; matching cuffs adorn the end border of the sleeves, the wrists and ankles. He is barefoot and his wavy hair is long and loose. He holds a small flower on his left hand.
On the right, the Algerian slave wears a skirt tied around his waist and a large basket-weave hat, flanked with three shuttle-shapes on the front. A thin belt hangs diagonally across his chest, holding his spade at his left hip. He holds three long arrows in his left hand.
This engraving represents a 'vulgar' woman from Malta, a Moorish woman, an Algerian Moor, and an Algerian slave. On the left, the woman from Malta wears a long-sleeved long robe with high collar and a veil on her head and shoulders, both with thin stripes on the border. Her shoes are flat and with rounded toes.
The Moorish 'commoner' wears an ankle-length robe with long bell sleeves, with two pairs of thin stripes on the boder, and her head wrapped in a headscarf. A high waist is marked with a fabric belt. Her feet are bare, and in her arms she holds a young boy, who wears a robe similar to hers.
The Algerian Moor wears a short-sleeved cuirasse with skirt. The collar has a pattern of lozenges and is jeweled with pearls; matching cuffs adorn the end border of the sleeves, the wrists and ankles. He is barefoot and his wavy hair is long and loose. He holds a small flower on his left hand.
On the right, the Algerian slave wears a skirt tied around his waist and a large basket-weave hat, flanked with three shuttle-shapes on the front. A thin belt hangs diagonally across his chest, holding his spade at his left hip. He holds three long arrows in his left hand.
Artwork Details
- Title: Melitea siue Maltana mulier Vulgari; Maura Tripolitidis amictus communis; Maurus Algerianus; Algerianum mancipium
- Artist: Abraham de Bruyn (Flemish, Antwerp 1540–1587 Cologne (?))
- Publisher: Joos de Bosscher (Netherlandish, active Amsterdam 1587–died 1591)
- Date: 1580
- Medium: Engraving
- Dimensions: Image: 8 11/16 in. × 13 in. (22 × 33 cm)
Frame: 10 3/8 × 14 3/4 in. (26.3 × 37.4 cm)
Sheet: 21 5/16 × 16 5/16 in. (54.2 × 41.5 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(122)
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
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