FASHION ILLUSTRATION WEDNESDAY: HISTORICAL CROATIAN UNIFORM -THE MAIDEN GUARD OF KRIŽEVAC CITY

Hello! In this post, I shall share my illustration of a beautiful historical Croatian military uniform. What makes this uniform so unique is that it belongs to the only historical all female regiment of its kind.  This historical uniform dating back to mid 19th century was and is still worn by the Križevac city's maiden watch. As the name might imply, this city watch is an all female one. The maiden city guard uniform is recognized and protected as an European cultural treasure. 

This is one historical uniform that I have been meaning to illustrate for ages! Today I finally found the time to do it- or perhaps it is better to say that I made the time? When you really want to do something, you make the time for it. Scroll down to see and read more.


I was planning to paint just one of these historical maiden guard uniforms but I then I realized that it wouldn't make sense so I painted six of them (using a photograph as a reference).  After all, this city guard uniform is never worn individually,  but  always as a part of a group (regiment). Painting a group of these lovely young women seemed like the only right approach. To tell you the truth, I've been meaning to branch out with my fashion illustrations to include more folklore dress.  I want to focus more on folklore fashion in my art. 




THE HISTORY BEHIND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF KRIŽEVAC CITY MAIDEN WATCH

The maiden watch was founded in 1848. This all female watch originally consisted of female volunteers who served as personal watch and bodyguards for Croatian ban Jelachich during his 1848 visit to city Križevac. Currently this maiden city watch has more of a cultural and folklore function than a military one but they sometimes participate in military parades. Knowing how to use a sable sword is still one of the requirements for joining. I think the girls that join are quite young, I think I read the youngest one is only fifteen. From what I've seen, they also do charity appearances and promote the city tourism. The maiden city watch is not a part of regular military, but their uniform is protected as an European cultural treasure and enlisted among military uniforms. 

MAKING OF A HISTORICAL FASHION ILLUSTRATION
Bellow you can see all the stages of making of this historical illustration. 



This illustration took a lot more time than I expected. I pretty much worked on it all afternoon. I wanted to do a quick sketch and finish it quickly but it proved somewhat challenging. There were a lot of details I wanted to capture. The voluminous crinoline skirts weren't the easiest to draw. The illustration is styled but I still wanted to capture some similarity to the girls from the reference photograph. 

In the collages bellow you can see the PHOTOGRAPH REFERENCE I used to make this drawing as well as some other photographs of this unique uniform that I have managed to found online. 




I have always been fascinated by folklore and national costumes, so it's no wonder that national uniforms also hold a fascination for me. Who knew that this small town had the first female city watch? Very stylish city watch if I might add. I remember how amazed I was to learn of it years ago. In some of our Croatian folklore and national dresses (we have hundreds of them rather than just one but that's another subject), women wear  swords as a part of the folklore dress and these swords  are not just ornamental but are also used in traditional dances. However, this particular city guard uniform is something else- an actual historical female uniform where sword are used for what they are intended for. Aren't they lovely? When it comes to historical fashion, I'm equally fascinated by civil and military fashion. In many ways, these two are interconnected. Historical fashion is a fascinating subject that never ceases to amaze me. The same goes for historical uniforms: military and civil alike. 


MORE FASHION ILLUSTRATION LINKS

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2022/02/monday-fashion-illustration-versace.html

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2022/02/fashion-illustration-sunday-casablanca.html 13th of February 2022

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2022/02/fashion-illustration-wednesday-faux-fur.html 9th of February 2022

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2022/02/fashion-illustration-friday.html 4th of February 2022

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2021/12/fashion-illustration-friday-free.html 24th of December 2021

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2021/12/fashion-illustration-friday-mint-blazer.html 3rd of December 2021

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2021/11/fashion-illustration-friday-gucci.html    26th of November, 2021

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2021/07/fashion-illustration-friday-summer-is.html 16th of July, 2021

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2021/06/fashion-illustration-friday-red-summer.html 24th of June, 2021

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2021/06/fashion-illustration-friday-summer-vibes.html 12th of June, 2021

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2021/06/fashion-illustration-friday-coloured.html  4th of June, 2021

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2021/05/fashion-illustration-friday-rujiste.html  6th of May, 2021

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2021/04/fashion-illustration-friday-peak-into.html 30th of April, 2021

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2021/04/fashion-illustration-friday-spring-in.html    16th of April, 2021

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2021/04/friday-fashion-illustration-red-puffer.html 2nd of April, 2021

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2021/03/friday-fashion-illustration-spring-vibes.html 26th of March 2021

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2021/03/fashion-illustration-friday-two-pencil.html March 2021

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2021/02/friday-fashion-illustration-two.html February 2021

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2021/02/friday-fashion-illustration-reference.html February 2021

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2021/02/fashion-illustration-friday-magenta-coat.html February 2021

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2021/01/friday-fashion-illustarion-dior-d-and.html January 2021


That would be all. Let me know what do you think about this illustration.



As always, thank you for reading and stopping by. Have a nice day!

 

Comments

  1. Sheila16 February 2022 at 18:21

    Oh, wow, I had no idea that the maiden guards even existed! What a cool bit of history, and what gorgeous uniforms! I like that they have to know how to use a sword!

    Just lovely, Ivana! I hear you on the time, but when it matters, you find the time to do what you love.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ivana Split17 February 2022 at 07:16

      Yes, the uniforms are fabulous. It's a bit surreal seeing those voluminous skirts paired with swords but that was how women dressed at that time.

      Delete
  2. J.P. Alexander16 February 2022 at 18:49

    Me encanto el boceto y saber algo de tu historia. Te mando un beso

    ReplyDelete
  3. The Padre16 February 2022 at 19:23

    What An Eye Opener Of A Post - Had No Idea So Thank You For Educating Me Once Again - Your Blends Of Color Are Remarkable - Enjoyed Reading About Your Valentines Evening With Hubby And Friends - Good On You

    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  4. Lovely16 February 2022 at 20:15

    I had no idea about maiden guards. Their uniform is brilliant and so are your illustrations!
    xoxo
    Lovely
    www.mynameislovely.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Leone16 February 2022 at 22:45

    I know a lot about the famous Croatian courage and military endeavors, but I didn't know anything about the Women's Guard and women's units! Croatians are a brave and very proud people. Their uniforms are beautiful and your illustrations are phenomenal! Congratulations!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Vix16 February 2022 at 23:56

    Thank you for telling us about maiden guards, how fascinating! I love their uniforms and your illustrations of them. x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ivana Split17 February 2022 at 06:58

      Thank you Vix, it is a fascinating story for sure. Some day I hope to be able to do more research into it, find the details about the uniform.

      Delete
  7. Mica17 February 2022 at 03:02

    It's great to see a feminine military outfit like this! What a lovely photo and illustration, the uniforms are so different from anything I'd expect it's nice you have this bit of history :)

    Hope your week is going well :)

    Away From The Blue

    ReplyDelete
  8. camdandusler17 February 2022 at 03:10

    What a nice post :) have a lovely day...

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thais Terra17 February 2022 at 03:32

    Cool post! The ilustration is beautiful.

    https://www.biigthais.com/

    Kisses ;*

    ReplyDelete
  10. ellie17 February 2022 at 04:17

    Wow, I really love this. So impressive!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Caitlin'nMegan17 February 2022 at 04:19

    Very impressive design! Thanks so much for telling us the history too. I so enjoyed this post. All the best to your creativity! & Staying inspired!

    ReplyDelete
  12. So Alice17 February 2022 at 07:23

    It's really interesting, I've never heard of it before. Great illustration :-)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Polyester Princess17 February 2022 at 10:19

    How fascinating is the history of those female guards, and the uniforms looks absolutely gorgeous to boot. Indeed, it does make sense to illustrate several of them at once, as you wouldn't see them worn individually. It seems that you really did those maidens proud! xxx

    ReplyDelete
  14. Elena M17 February 2022 at 11:46

    Great post dear, so nice and interesting, love it!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Jodie's Touch of Style17 February 2022 at 12:32

    Gosh...you really did so well on this Ivana. Talk about history and culture. I am Hungarian and there used to be a festival every summer where I grew up, and the women would dance in the native costumes. It was truly beautiful.
    XOXO
    Jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Rowena @ rolala loves17 February 2022 at 12:39

    It's really cool that Croatia has an all female military regiment and they still wear the same historical uniform. You did a wonderful job with capturing the details in your illustration. I agree that the intersection of civilian and military fashion is quite fascinating.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Juvenal Nunes18 February 2022 at 00:36

    Fez uma recriação de uma realidade histórica e, ao partilhá-la, deu a conhecer factos que eu desconhecia, o que agradeço.
    Abraço amigo.
    Juvenal Nunes

    ReplyDelete
  18. stylefrontier18 February 2022 at 01:48

    such a lovely illustration and love to learn about the history of the outfit itself!


    I hope you have a lovely weekend ahead

    xoxo
    style frontier

    ReplyDelete
  19. Marisa Cavaleiro19 February 2022 at 10:18

    Hi
    I enjoyed learning more about this women's military outfit! It's so beautiful, I think these ancient traditions should really be preserved! And your illustration is perfect!
    xoxo

    marisasclosetblog.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. bread&salt19 February 2022 at 12:43

    Woow great information! I felt myself in a historical film with great costumes. All illustration (paintings) look great and very cute.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

All your comments mean a lot to me, even the criticism. Naravno da mi puno znači što ste uzeli vrijeme da nešto napišete, pa makar to bila i kritika. Per me le vostre parole sono sempre preziose anche quando si tratta di critiche.

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