Habit of a Gentlewoman of Brabant in 1640

by Thomas Jefferys

Here is a detailed image of an elegant lady belonging to the aristocratic class in the Duchy of Brabant, created at the peak of the Baroque period. This particular copper engraving was created in the year 1640 but published much later as part of the collection titled A Collection of the Dresses of Different Nations by the celebrated geographer and engraver Thomas Jefferys.

The picture reflects the change in women's attire from stiff Spanish farthingales to a high-waisted silhouette.