Habit of a Merchants Wife in Holland in 1640

by Thomas Jefferys

Enter the opulence of 17th-century Amsterdam with this wonderful drawing depicting the dress of a Merchant’s Wife, a lady whose clothing is an exemplar of “conspicuous sobriety.”

Whereas other women in France dressed in lavish silks, the upper classes in Holland showcased their immense wealth through the fineness of the materials used. The following image illustrates the characteristic millstone ruff and the thickly pleated black wool clothing typical of this period. The detailed work in line by Thomas Jefferys enables us to see the delicate textures of the fabrics worn during this time of trading and domestic piety.