Habit of a Young Lady of Naxis in 1700

by Thomas Jefferys

Indeed, this stunning copper engraving epitomizes the elegance of clothing style in the Aegean Islands during the middle of the eighteenth century. Thomas Jefferys' detailed portrayal of the Habit of a Young Lady of Naxis (or current day Naxos, Greece) exemplifies the interesting combination of Byzantine and Venetian styles in the Cycladic Islands.

It features the distinct "stilted" look of clothing at the time—the famous short, billowing skirts along with the elaborate headdress. Not only did Thomas Jefferys design an interesting fashion plate, but he also compiled an important ethnographic treatise in the Age of Enlightenment era in his capacity as Geographer to the King. This print provides an extremely rare opportunity to study the beautiful world of Greek Islander fashion.