Muffs and Articles of Clothing on a Table 1647

Wenceslaus Hollar made this etching, Muffs and Articles of Clothing on a Table, in 1647. Hollar, born in Prague, worked across Europe during a period of immense social and political upheaval, including the Thirty Years' War and the English Civil War. This still life, rendered with careful detail, depicts symbols of wealth and status. The elaborate fur muffs and delicate lace speak to a culture of conspicuous consumption, a way of life accessible only to the privileged few. These objects, imbued with the labor and resources required to obtain and maintain them, become stand-ins for the women who would have worn them. The discarded items suggest a momentary glimpse into a private world. This work challenges the traditional grand narratives of history, shifting our focus to the material culture of everyday life. It prompts us to consider the relationship between fashion, identity, and social class in the 17th century, and how these dynamics continue to resonate today. The intimate scale of the print invites a close, personal examination.