Sardinian Woman Print Ploaghe Italy 1853 by Compte-Calix – Hand-Colored Lithograph
This elegant antique print depicts a woman from Ploaghe in Sardinia, Italy (Femme de Ploaghe), in traditional regional costume. Created by François Claudius Compte-Calix, it was published in Paris in 1853 by Chez Aubert et C-ie as part of the esteemed Le Keepsake de Costumes series, which illustrated traditional attire from Europe and beyond with refined artistic detail.
François Claudius Compte-Calix (1813-1880) was a celebrated French painter and lithographer renowned for his romantic, historical, and ethnographic works. His costume studies combined decorative artistry with ethnographic accuracy, capturing authentic regional clothing with grace and precision.
This hand-colored lithograph, part of the Musée Cosmopolite collection, portrays the Sardinian woman walking away, carrying a basket filled with fruit. She wears a white headscarf, a fitted bodice with vivid blue, red, and yellow detailing over a pink blouse, and a full golden-brown skirt with a teal border. Her shoes are dark with red accents, and she wears blue stockings. The lithographic lines delicately render the textures of her garments, while careful hand coloring enhances the natural warmth and brightness of her attire.
Lithography, used for this print, involved drawing directly onto limestone plates before inking and pressing onto paper to achieve crisp lines and subtle tonal variation. Each print was then hand-colored with water-based pigments, adding depth, vibrancy, and lifelike presence to the composition.
Condition summary: good condition overall, with scattered foxing mainly in the margins, light age toning typical for mid-19th century prints, and a water stain along the right margin, not affecting the central image.
Framing tips: this print will be beautifully presented in a rustic wood, walnut, or gold frame to complement the warm tones of the costume. A cream or light beige mat will enhance the delicate hand coloring and provide contrast to the aged paper. Museum-quality UV-protective glass is recommended to preserve colors and prevent further toning.
This lithograph is ideal for collectors of Italian regional costumes, Sardinian heritage, and 19th-century lithography. It also makes a refined decorative accent for studies, libraries, country kitchens, or cultural institutions, bringing authentic European rural charm and timeless elegance to any interior setting.
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