Matrona Heluetica, Faemina Heluetica, Virgo Sueuica

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 Swiss matron and woman, and a Swedish girl. On the left, the Swiss matron wears a long, draped mantle with short puff sleeves over long narrow sleeves, trimmed with scallop-edged lace on the cuffs, over a long dress with high ruff collar. She wears a sort of cap on her head, over a veil that covers her hair.

On the center, the Swiss woman wears a long dress with long sleeves and a pleated skirt with a horizontal band on the lower part, a short cape with interlacing branches, and an apron with a matching foliage pattern hangs from her waist. Her hair is covered by a headscarf, on top of which is a cap. She holds a purse, in which a fan (?) is stored, on her right hand.

On the right, the Swedish girl wears a long dress with high riff collar and short puff sleeves with scallop edges over long puff sleeves trimmed with fur (?), with a long apron hanging under the bodice of her dress. A bag hangs from her waist on her left side. Her hair is long and tied on a long braid that hangs behind her back. Around her head is a jeweled headband.