Costume de divers Pays, 1827, No. 32 : Jeune Dame de la Nord-hollande 1827

Curator: What a fascinating find. We're looking at "Jeune Dame de la Nord-hollande," or "Young Lady of North Holland," a print by Georges Jacques Gatine, dating back to 1827. Editor: Isn't it lovely? I'm immediately struck by the subdued palette. The overall feeling is serene, yet the details are so intricate, particularly the young woman's costume. There's a touch of melancholic romance about it, I think. Curator: Absolutely. These types of prints were often part of larger series, documenting regional costumes and traditions, in this case contributing to broader romantic visions of European regions and nation-building in the post-Napoleonic era. She stands in for "Nord-hollande," carrying all that identity within her clothing, her bouquet. Editor: Tell me more about that costume, it’s amazing. That dotted jacket with its flamboyant sleeves – I love how it both conceals and reveals. And that crisply ironed apron, almost blinding in its simplicity against the complexity of everything else she has on. She seems quite enclosed by these outer garments, but maybe they were markers of distinction, visibility in her community. What about the letter and flowers in her hand? I imagine, of course, love letters sent through clandestine networks... Curator: Possibly! Letters and flowers, classic tropes of romantic storytelling. It really begs the question, does she even know where this letter has come from? Editor: You’re right. Beyond the personal, there's a clear tension. Even here, we confront that tension between romanticizing the folk traditions of "old Europe," with what actually were, maybe even still are, lived experiences and power dynamics embedded within the dress code of the region. But what a way to capture her in print! Curator: That contrast makes this so resonant, doesn’t it? Gatine has created an artifact for cultural and even economic consumption—fashion was political in the 19th century as well, prints like these became ways of advertising goods from particular regions. So her pose—as demure, gentle and full of mystery – works toward a feeling of promise. Editor: It is beautiful, and there are so many stories that spring from such a simple image! A single face and costume revealing so much… Curator: Yes. What begins as an act of recording transforms, becomes imbued with emotion, becomes a political act… almost a wish for something, even if it’s beyond our full grasp.