Dedication page of 'Habitum variarum orbes gentium' (Costumes of the various peoples of the world)

Engraving, dedication page 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 consists of two roundels with side portraits of Nicole and Louise de Vienne, and dedicatory inscriptions. The two women portrayed in the roundels persuaded Boissard to publish his collection of costume drawings, on which he had worked for several years. On the left, Nicole wears her hair up, tied with small flowers and pearls, and a sumptuous dress with open ruff, patterns of stripes and lozenges, and sleeves trimmed with bows and pearls, and pearl earrings and a jeweled necklace. Louise, on the right, wears a similar dress, with a brocade of scrolling leaves on the sleeves, and her hair tied with a rope and jeweled hairpins. She also wears an open ruff, pearl pendant earrings, and a large, jeweled necklace.