Habit of a Russian Midwife in 1764

by Thomas Jefferys

The color print called “Habit of a Russian Midwife in 1764” was created by the prominent cartographer Thomas Jefferys who also served as an engraver. It is taken from a set of illustrations in his four-volume publication entitled “A Collection of the Dresses of Different Nations, Antient and Modern.”

This illustration provides a rare opportunity to examine the status of women as professionals and members of society in 18th century Russia. While most fashion illustrations in this time period emphasized the fashion of wealthy people, this image depicts the typical dress of a middle-class woman who wore many layers, distinctive headwear (kokoshnik), and clothing made from thick materials suitable for the Russian environment. The works by Jefferys contributed to the exploration of costumes around the world to understand their culture.