Ornatus Muliebris Anglicanus (The Clothing of English Women) 1639 - 1640

Wenceslaus Hollar made this print, "Ornatus Muliebris Anglicanus," meaning "The Clothing of English Women," using etching, a printmaking technique. The image shows a woman with a mask, muff, and long gown. Etching involves coating a metal plate with wax, scratching an image into the wax, then submerging the plate in acid. The acid bites into the exposed metal, creating lines. Ink is then applied to the plate, filling the etched lines, and the plate is pressed onto paper. Hollar's skill is evident in the fine lines and textures he achieved. The print’s social significance lies in its depiction of fashion and material culture. The gown’s fabric, likely wool or silk, reflects England’s textile industry, and the fur muff indicates wealth and status. Labor is present, from the textile workers producing the fabric to the furriers preparing the pelt. Hollar’s detailed rendering of the clothing allows us to examine the social hierarchy and economic systems of the time. By focusing on materials, making, and context, we can appreciate the rich historical and cultural information embedded within this print, blurring the lines between fine art and craft.