Bordeaux Townswoman and Milk Seller with the Shepherds of Haiden, 1842

This is an original antique lithograph, hand colored, from the Galleria Universale di Tutti i Popoli del Mondo (Venice, Giuseppe Antonelli, 1842). The upper image shows three women on a grassy rise. At the left a townswoman in a tall white lace cap, dark bodice, striped white and pink apron and yellow flowered skirt carries a closed pink parasol. Beside her, seen from behind, a milk seller balances on her head a broad basket tray holding pewter jugs, cups, greens and roses. At the right a lady in a green gown with full sleeves and a pink bonnet trimmed with plumes and ribbons raises a lorgnette to her eyes. In the lower image a barefoot young shepherd in a red cap, striped trousers and dark waistcoat carries a fleece on his back and leans on a staff, while a second shepherd strides on tall stilts in a fleece lined coat, carrying game hung from a pole over his shoulder. At the right a peasant woman wears a broad black hat with a tall crown, yellow bodice, white apron and red skirt.

The plate is lettered "Tom IV" at the upper left, "FRANCIA" in the center and "Tav 15" at the upper right. The captions read "Borghese e Vendi-latte di Bordò" (townswoman and milk seller of Bordeaux), "Nobile Signora" (noble lady), "Pastori di Haiden" (shepherds of Haiden) and "Contadina di Bresse" (peasant woman of Bresse).

Shepherds in southwestern France were well known for working on stilts, which let them cross wet, sandy heathland and watch their flocks from a height. Bresse is a farming region in eastern France.

With its varied figures and strong color, the plate works well alongside other French costume prints.

This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed.