Gratiane de Gardilanne and Elizabeth Whitney Moffatt, Spakenburg Women in Sunday Dress with Child, 1932, Print

Details

Description

Spakenburg Women in Sunday Dress with Child – Dutch Costume Print (1932) This vibrant and engaging costume print, first published … Read more Spakenburg Women in Sunday Dress with Child – Dutch Costume Print (1932) This vibrant and engaging costume print, first published in the limited 1932 edition *The National Costumes of Holland* by Gratiane de Gardilanne and Elizabeth Whitney Moffatt, presents a detailed portrayal of women and a child from the fishing villages of Spakenburg and Bunschoten. These two communities, located along the Zuiderzee (now IJsselmeer), share a distinctive regional attire, with Bunschoten noted for its especially picturesque character. In the foreground, two adult women are shown in typical Sunday attire. Both wear short-sleeved black under-bodices (the *slippenkolder*) with flap-like extensions and a dark blue *sateen* overbodice, covering the upper torso both front and back. Their full pleated skirts are boldly colored, and their caps—delicate yet structured—include an under-cap of black *sateen*, with the outer caps in white net or pleated *cambric*. The cap on the woman to the left is edged with lace and carefully turned back from the face; that of the woman on the right is plainer, suggesting she may be in mourning. Each woman wears a traditional *kroplap* across the shoulders: the left figure’s is of white glazed chintz printed with a bright floral motif, while her companion's purple version, plainer and darker, is commonly associated with mourning. Their *fichus*—vivid crimson and white checked kerchiefs—are pinned neatly down the bodice and fastened at the apron yoke by a brass hook, emphasizing the attention to modesty and formality even in casual gestures of dress. The apron of the woman on the left is in blue cotton, detailed with half-sleeves in a red and white *Frisian* cotton design; the right-hand woman’s apron is in a dark blue and white Indian-style check—again signaling mourning. A child under two years old stands between them, dressed in a charmingly scaled-down version of the regional attire. Her printed dress is in warm reddish brown with a floral pattern of yellow and pink, featuring a tight bodice and puffed, tucked sleeves echoing sixteenth-century styles. Her white and blue checkered *pinafore*, complete with shoulder straps and a full back-cut skirt, adds a layer of practicality to the costume. She wears mittens (*moffen*) and soft white clogs for everyday mobility. This scene, illustrated by famed costume artist A. Hoynck van Papendrecht and printed in stunning pochoir technique, perfectly captures the textile richness and cultural specificity of Dutch village life. Condition: This original 1932 print is in excellent condition. The colors remain vivid and richly saturated, with no noticeable foxing, stains, or tears. The margins are intact and clean, with only minor signs of age at the edges consistent with careful archival storage. --- Framing Tips: This print would look superb in a medium-to-dark wood frame to complement the deep blues and reds of the costumes. Consider using a wide ivory or cream mat to echo the background tile pattern, and opt for UV-protective glass to preserve the pochoir pigments. A thin gold or silver inner fillet could enhance the print’s elegance without overpowering its folk charm. See less