Elegante dame met hoofdtooi met veer 1619 - 1623

Adriaen Matham made this print of an elegant lady with a feathered headdress in the Dutch Republic sometime in the 17th century. The Dutch Republic was one of Europe’s great powers at the time, enriched by its global trade networks. Prints such as this were part of a booming industry, as the Dutch middle class had money to spend on art for their homes. The woman’s expensive clothes speak to this new prosperity, with luxurious fabrics and elaborate details designed to impress. But her attire also reflects a strict social code, and her upright posture hints at the importance of social standing. We can analyze the print's composition, its lines and textures, to appreciate Matham's skill. But as historians, we also look beyond the image itself. By researching the Dutch economy, fashion trends, and social hierarchies of the 1600s, we can better understand the print’s meaning as a reflection of its time.