Habit of a Countess of Holland and Zealand in 1480

by Thomas Jefferys

This beautiful copperplate engraving brings to light the elegance of an aristocratic woman in the 15th century from the Counties of Holland and Zealand. The engraving is produced by the famous geographer and engraver, Thomas Jefferys, and can be regarded as a detailed study on the fashion in the late medieval Northern Europe.

The Countess is portrayed in typical Burgundian dress with a high waistline, fur trim on lapels, and a low cut “V” neck that reveals an underdress. Her outfit is topped off with the distinctively cut hennin headwear which shows a linen veil falling elegantly from it. This ensemble clearly reflects her high status and courtly strictness of the Netherlands and Flemish courts.