Habit of a Country Woman of Ingria in 1764

by Thomas Jefferys

The following engraving by Thomas Jefferys dated from 1764 offers an insightful ethnographic look at the countryside lifestyle of Northern Europe during the 18th century. The etching shows the unique "Habit of a Country Woman of Ingria" from the Ingria region (present-day Russia, close to St. Petersburg), which is famous for combining Finnic and Slavic cultures.

Different from many majestic prints of that time portraying the upper classes of European society, this engraving features the practical and elegant simplicity of rural costumes. Jefferys depicts the linen dress designed to withstand the harsh Baltic environment through the depiction of various layers of the dress. The lady wears a typical shift with an apron decorated with geometric patterns that symbolized her cultural background and protected her from evil spirits.