After Fossey, German Regional Costumes, Bavarian and Saxon Figures, 1845, Lithograph

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Title: German Regional Costumes – Bavarian and Saxon Figures, c.1845 : This elegant hand-colored lithograph, titled “Europe – Allemagne,” originates … Read more Title: German Regional Costumes – Bavarian and Saxon Figures, c.1845 : This elegant hand-colored lithograph, titled “Europe – Allemagne,” originates from Le Monde en Estampes: Types et Costumes des Principaux Peuples de l’Univers, published in Paris around 1845–1850. The plate was drawn by Fossey, lithographed by J. Bocquin, printed by Lemercier, and published by Amédée Bedelet with accompanying text by Élisabeth Müller. The series is a significant mid-19th-century French work portraying the traditional costumes of nations and regions across the globe, executed with exceptional artistic refinement. This scene depicts an animated gathering of men and women from various German states, illustrating the diversity of regional dress before the country’s unification. At the center stands a *paysan des environs de Hambourg* (peasant from near Hamburg), a tall, broad-shouldered man wearing a brown jacket, black breeches, and a wide-brimmed hat, carrying a yoke with baskets. Around him, several elegantly dressed women represent regions such as *Bade et Saxe*, *Coblenz*, and *Bavière*. Their costumes vary in detail—from lace-trimmed headpieces and aprons to embroidered bodices and bright skirts—highlighting the distinctive traditions of each province. To the left, a *Bohémienne* adds a touch of color and exoticism, her attire more flamboyant than the modest peasant dresses beside her, reflecting 19th-century Romantic fascination with the wandering peoples of Central Europe. To the right, a *femme de Francfort-sur-Mein* and her companion exchange conversation, their attire neatly arranged and displaying urban refinement. The scene is set in a peaceful rural environment, with soft tones and faint church spires in the background evoking the pastoral charm of the German countryside. This lithograph beautifully captures both the individuality and harmony of regional costume traditions, blending ethnographic observation with the Romantic idealization of folk life. Each figure is drawn with precision and delicacy, and the hand-coloring—typical of Lemercier’s Paris atelier—adds warmth and texture to the fabrics, lending the scene both realism and charm. Condition report: Good impression with soft toning and minor foxing mainly in the margins. The image itself is clean and richly colored, preserving full borders. Framing tips: A cream or off-white mat paired with a walnut or giltwood frame will enhance the warmth of the composition. For a subtle contrast, a charcoal-gray inner mat can accentuate the bright regional costumes. Technique: Hand-colored lithograph Maker: J. Bocquin after Fossey, printed by Lemercier, Paris, circa 1845 See less