Jost Amman: Frauentrachtenbuch

Jost Amman (1539–1691) is undoubtedly one of the most important and prolific draftsmen, engravers, and xylographs of the Renaissance north of the Alps. Working in Nuremberg, the artist employed numerous genres and techniques, with his everyday depictions of contemporary professions and traditional costumes being particularly noteworthy. They are characterized by realistic and detailed observations, which Amman transferred to various media. The 122 high-quality woodcuts in his Frauentrachtenbuch (Book of Women's Costumes), published in Frankfurt in 1586 by Sigmund Feyerabend (1528–1590), provide a particularly fascinating cultural-historical insight into the social hierarchies and European women's fashions of the 16th century. It shows the typical clothing of women of all social classes in the urban centers of Europe at that time – from simple peasants to illustrious empresses. Each of the artistic illustrations is accompanied by humorous verses that round off the work.