The Vanity of Women: Masks and Bustles
ca. 1600
Medium
engraved paper
Classification
Engraving
Culture
Dutch
Department
Costume Institute
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase, Irene Lewisohn Trust Gift, 2001
Accession Number
2001.341.1
Tags
Art Historical Context
Created around 1600 by Flemish artist Maerten de Vos, *The Vanity of Women: Masks and Bustles* is an engraving paper that offers a witty yet pointed commentary on fashion and morality. De Vos, known for his detailed Mannerist designs and religious works, frequently explored allegorical themes in prints intended for wide circulation. Here, the composition highlights exaggerated accessories—masks for concealment and bustles for silhouette—as emblems of fleeting vanity, inviting viewers to reflect on the ephemeral nature of outward appearance. As a work in the Metropolitan Museum’s Costume Insti...