If you look at this site to compare http://festiveattyre.com/research/wkclass/portfolio.html
I would say that it is more likely that both fruit seller paintings are probably of women in their Sunday best or they may truly dress up for market. But then selling fruit is not as messy as selling fish and poultry. This is listed as a peasant, she is wearing her "going to town" best. http://festiveattyre.com/research/wkclass/wk15.html or this one from Cividale http://festiveattyre.com/research/wkclass/wk17.html or from Parma http://festiveattyre.com/research/wkclass/wk18.html So these give the impression that if you are in public you wear your best or near best. In comparing the two fruit sellers, the first one looks like she is wearing a standard outfit. As for stains or dirty clothes, I don't think the artist was interested or perhaps had not reached the level in painting that slight detail. Or he was making his subjects look good. :) I believe the aristocracy's desire of "pastoral" paintings came about in the 1700s. The "in thing" at the time was still life, mythology, or having themselves painted in an allegorical scene. De -----Original Message----- I don't think it's necessarily a painting of a real woman. I think it's a painting for an aristocratic audience who likes to think of the peasantry as happy and prosperous so it's an idealized image that may have never actually existed. I believe that the general style is quite accurate but the richness of the fabrics and trim may be a nod to the audiences expectations. Karen Seamstrix _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list [email protected] http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
