Theatrum Mulierum History

The first fashion magazine is widely considered to be Jost Amman’s Habitus Praecipuorem Populorem. It's woodcuts depicting a variety of women’s clothing. First published 1586 in Frankfort, it was reissued in Ulm in under the title Gynaecceum sive Theatrum Mulierum in 1639. This second edition stated it's purpose was to provide for those who could not travel a view of regional costume and a "tacit indication of character." Hollar was very likely familiar with the first edition and most likely chose "Theatrum Mulierum" as the title of his own work. to capitalize on the name of the earlier work.

By 1636 had completed the first drawings that would be used as the source material in hisTheatrum Mulierum. These early drawings reflect places he lived of traveled and would have been drawn from life.

In 1640 Hollar produced 27 plates for his  “Ornatus Muliebris Anglicanus or the Severall Habits of English Women from the Nobilitie to the Contry Women as They are in this Time”.  Depicting the fashions of English women only, it was for the local London market.

In 1643 the Theatrum Mulierum is first published in London with either 36 or 48 plates. The uncertainly about the number of plates is due in part that Theatrum Mulierum was never published as a single set and Hollar added images to the series for several years. Also adding to the uncertainty is that Hollar sold the plates at some point and indiviual publishers often modified the plates. The earliest group of prints were Bohemian and Austrian women, with women from other areas being added later.

In 1644 Hollar fled to Antwerp, taking the Theatrum Mulierum plates with him. To sell better to a continental audience, he replaced English titles with German on many plates. He also changed the series name to Aula Veneris which is Latin for Halls of Venus.

In 1816 John McCreery published a volume call 200 Etchings, which included plates from the Theatrum Mulierum along works of many other artists including Rembrandt Van Rjin. The etching in this show came from this source.

In 1853, Gustav Parthey publishes Wenzel Hollar, Described Verzeichniss Seiner Kupferstiche in Berlin. A complete listing of all of Hollar's etchings, he identifies 100 images as part of the Theatrum Mulierum and this becomes the standard reference for this series.