Lady of Hungary in 1626

by Thomas Jefferys

In this highly refined copper plate engraving, one is able to appreciate the elegant bearing and ornate attire worn by a High-born Noblewoman from Hungary. Although the print depicts fashion trends popular during the early 1620s, such as the elaborate manteau, the lacy ruff, and the distinct jewelry headdress associated with the Carpathian nobility, this particular print was created due to the fine attention to detail that was characteristic of Thomas Jefferys.

As a geographer who was also the "Geographer to King George III", Thomas Jefferys was fond of combining his geographical illustrations with studies on ethnographic fashion to create maps. Thus, this particular illustration provides an insight into the Kingdom of Hungary when Baroque culture had just peaked and its influences from the Ottoman Empire were apparent in its fashion sense.