Habit of a Lady of China in 1700

by Thomas Jefferys

Dive into the haute couture culture of the early Qing Dynasty from the perspective of the Enlightenment. Here is an engraving that features a portrait of a lady of noble rank wearing her traditional clothing style. The unique feature of the garment is its layers of silk gowns with large and loose sleeves.

The artist Thomas Jefferys renowned for his exactitude portrays the beauty of Hanfu-style clothing which still prevailed in spite of the growing influence of Manchu customs within the imperial court. This engraving is an intermediary between Europeans who at that time were fascinated with Chinoiserie - a passion for everything Chinese, from tea to clothes.