People of Istria, Eger and Transylvania, Hand Colored Lithograph, 1842

An original antique lithograph, hand colored, from the Galleria Universale di Tutti i Popoli del Mondo (Venice, Giuseppe Antonelli, 1842). The upper image shows four figures. At left a man in a fur cap and an ocher coat and breeches, holding a flower and leaning on a spade, stands beside a woman in a white turban and a long green coat over a white gown, with red stockings. In the center a man in a broad black hat, a brown coat, a red and black embroidered waistcoat and full dark breeches smokes a pipe. At right a young man in a fur trimmed cap with a red ribbon and a long dark cloak lined in red holds a white handkerchief. In the lower image a woman in a white headcloth and apron with a red and blue skirt holds a bundle of greenery; beside her a bearded man in a tall dark cap and white clothes with a yellow belt leans on a stick; at right a woman in a white headcloth rides a brown horse, and another woman in a white blouse, red neckband and striped skirt sits on the ground beside it.

The lettering reads "Tom IV" at upper left, "IMP AUSTRIACO" in the center and "Tav 104" at upper right. The upper captions read "Uomo e donna d' Istria" (Man and Woman of Istria), "Paesano di Eger" (Peasant of Eger) and "Sposo di Eger" (Bridegroom of Eger). The lower captions read "Contadina Schiavona" (Slavonian Countrywoman) and "Contadini di Transilvania" (Peasants of Transylvania).

In 1842 Istria and Transylvania both lay within the Austrian Empire, which ruled many peoples with distinct languages and regional dress.

A colorful survey of the old empire's costumes that hangs well with other Central European prints.

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