Edelman, burger en boogschutter in kleding uit de zestiende eeuw 1857

This print of an etching depicts an nobleman, a citizen and an archer in sixteenth-century clothing, and was made by an anonymous artist. While the costumes are based on clothing of the 1500s, the print was likely made much later. Collections of prints of costumes like this one often served as guides or models for theatrical productions, historical reenactments, or civic pageants. Notice how each figure is carefully labeled with his social status and how the clothing reflects his position in society. To better understand this print, you might consult costume history books from the period, museum collections of textiles, or even play scripts and production designs for historical dramas to see how images like this were put to use in later eras. Understanding the social function of art is as important as understanding its formal qualities.