Habit of a Woman of Fez in Africa

by Thomas Jefferys

The "Habit of a Woman of Fez in Africa" hand-colored engraving created by Thomas Jefferys is undoubtedly one of the finest examples of ethnography in the art of the 18th century. This artwork was first featured in A Collection of the Dresses of Different Nations published by Jefferys himself between 1757 and 1772 in London.

In his artwork, Jefferys successfully portrays the gracefulness of a woman from Fez with great detail. Here, the viewer can witness the complex layers of traditional North African dresses – the haik with its fine decoration and the characteristic headwear indicating social status in crowded 1700 medinas.

Instead of simply being a fashion illustration, the work also acts as a historical link that connects the Western interest in "The Orient" and the fine crafts of the Maghreb region.