Woman in Traditional Madrid Dress – Hand-Colored Engraving, c.1820
This refined hand-colored engraving, titled *Costume de Madrid* and numbered 61 from the *Costumes de divers Pays* series, was published in Paris around 1820. Drawn by Fanti and engraved by Gatine, it beautifully captures the elegance of early 19th-century Spanish fashion, highlighting the cultural fascination of France with Iberian style and tradition.
The image portrays a graceful Madrileña dressed in a flowing black gown adorned with multiple layers of lace and ruffles, a hallmark of Spanish refinement. Draped over her head and shoulders is a dark lace mantilla, symbolizing modesty and national pride. She holds a yellow fan delicately in one hand, a detail that adds both movement and personality to the composition. The soft expression on her face and her slight, poised stance evoke confidence and quiet allure, reflecting the romantic ideal of Spanish femininity popular in early 19th-century Europe.
The *Costumes de divers Pays* series celebrated the distinct national dresses of Europe and beyond, providing a visual record for the cosmopolitan audiences of post-Napoleonic France. Fanti and Gatine’s collaboration represents the best of Parisian engraving craftsmanship of the time—combining precise linework, delicate tonal shading, and rich hand-applied color to produce elegant ethnographic studies.
Condition report: Excellent impression with rich, original coloring. Mild toning and a few small foxing spots in the outer margins, consistent with age. The image remains bright and well-preserved.
Framing tips: This piece will stand out when framed in a narrow black or gold frame with an ivory mat, emphasizing the contrast between the deep blacks of the dress and the soft tones of the paper. It pairs beautifully with other costume plates from the same series.
Technique: Hand-colored engraving Maker: Fanti del.; Gatine sculp.; published in Paris, c.1820
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