Habit of Bohemia in 1577

by Thomas Jefferys

This beautifully engraved copperplate print is drawn from the groundbreaking mid-18th century compendium of world fashion published by Thomas Jefferys. “Habit of Bohemia” highlights the particular shift from the folk costume traditions of East European countries to the emerging Baroque style of the Holy Roman Empire.

The print depicts the stylish costumes worn by the Bohemian aristocracy or citizenry. Although Jefferys derived some ideas from earlier wood cuts of the 16th century (like those by Hans Weigel), his later prints of 1757 were designed keeping an enlightened sensibility in mind.