Young Woman from Bucharo, Spanish Pyrenees – Hand-Colored Engraving, c.1820
This finely detailed hand-colored engraving, titled Jeune femme de Bucharo, Pyrénées espagnoles (Young Woman of Bucharo, Spanish Pyrenees), is plate No. 95 from the celebrated Costumes de divers Pays series, published in Paris around 1820. Engraved by Gatine, it portrays a young woman from the Pyrenean region of northern Spain in her traditional attire, representing the charm and authenticity of rural life at the time.
The figure stands gracefully, her body turned slightly to one side with a gentle, self-assured gaze. She wears a pleated ochre skirt bordered with black bands, over which a soft blue apron is elegantly draped. Her red bodice, laced at the front, is paired with a beige long-sleeved blouse, while a white scarf covers her head and ties under her chin, held in place by a black ribbon bow. A gold cross necklace gleams against her crimson chest cloth, symbolizing her faith and heritage. Completing the look are patterned stockings and ribbon-tied shoes, emphasizing the artist’s attention to textile details.
This work is part of a popular early 19th-century French series illustrating the national costumes of Europe and beyond, reflecting the Romantic fascination with cultural identity and regional dress. The engraving demonstrates the exceptional quality of French printmaking of the Restoration era, with its precise linework and luminous hand-applied color.
Condition report: Very good impression with bright, original coloring. Slight toning and faint foxing in the margins, typical for its age. The image itself is crisp and unmarred.
Framing tips: This lively Pyrenean costume print will be beautifully complemented by a light cream or pale blue mat with a simple gilt or walnut frame, emphasizing both the warmth of the clothing and the delicacy of the composition.
Technique: Hand-colored engraving Maker: Gatine sculp.; published in Paris, c.1820
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