Gratiane de Gardilanne and Elizabeth Whitney Moffatt, Frisian Women in Tall Sunday Hats and Checked Aprons, 1932, Print

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Frisian Women in Tall Sunday Hats and Checked Aprons, 1932 This charming hand-colored lithograph is Plate VII from the 1932 … Read more Frisian Women in Tall Sunday Hats and Checked Aprons, 1932 This charming hand-colored lithograph is Plate VII from the 1932 folio The National Costumes of Holland, created by Gratiane de Gardilanne and Elizabeth Whitney Moffatt, with cultural commentary by Alma Oakes. Only 500 copies of this rare edition were printed for commercial sale, preserving detailed illustrations of Dutch regional costumes. This plate focuses on the unique attire worn in the first quarter of the 19th century in outlying areas of Friesland, such as Molkwerum and Stavoren. The figures wear a distinctive blend of peasant and upper-class influences. The woman on the left is shown in her formal Sunday outfit, wearing a tall black hat of hatter’s plush trimmed with gold galon and green fringe. Her hair is pulled tightly back and covered by a gold oorijzer, a traditional Frisian ornament, beneath a white net cap edged in deep lace. A deep pink checked fichu wraps over her shoulders and is fastened high at the neck. Her bodice, or jak, is fitted and printed with floral motifs, while a dark apron and pale blue overskirt complete the ensemble. Her stockings are red and white wool, and she wears black leather shoes with steel buckles. The woman on the right wears a version of the same costume adapted for daily wear. Her hat blends straw bonnet styles with elements of the formal topper, trimmed with green and brown ribbons. Her vividly colored kerotlap, a working bodice of bright scarlet cotton with oriental motifs, is laced over a striped red and white chemise. She carries a basket of strawberries, suggesting a scene of seasonal abundance and rural life. Both women wear traditional layered fichus, and their aprons, underskirts, and sleeves reflect a patchwork of regional and historical styles. These costumes exemplify the way Frisian women maintained elements of formal dress in everyday wear well into the 19th century. Technique and condition: Printed using the high-quality chromolithographic process by Vincent, Brooks, Day & Son of London, this plate retains vivid colors and clean lines. The print is in excellent condition, with full margins and no visible defects, ideal for display or archival preservation. Framing tips: A warm wood frame in walnut or cherry enhances the natural tones of the straw hat and the rich reds of the clothing. Use a neutral mat, such as ivory or parchment, with optional accents in muted red or green to draw out key colors from the costumes. UV-filtering glass will help preserve the fine pigment work for generations. See less