July 20: Birthday of Albert Racinet (1825)
Prayer Idea
Pray for people who design, manufacture, and distribute clothing.
History Note
Albert Charles Auguste Racinet was born in France on July 20, 1825. His father worked as a printer, and young Albert became his apprentice. Albert continued his training as a lithographer and artist. Racinet’s artwork was featured in French salons for many years.
In the 1870s, Racinet embarked on a huge publishing project. Le costume historique (“Costume History”) is a six-volume work that explores the history of clothing from ancient to modern times around the world. The books feature hundreds of detailed illustrations showing how people have dressed through the centuries. The pictures also feature jewelry, military equipment, and household furnishings. Costume History has been translated and reprinted many times.
Racinet also oversaw the production of L'Ornement polychrome (“The Multi-Color Ornament”), a collection of rich illustrations based on fabrics, frescoes, manuscripts, mosaics, and architectural designs.
This is the illustration from Costume History of the Kabyle people of northern Algeria, part of the Amazigh (Berber) ethnic group.
Learn More
This slide show gives you a glimpse of some of the illustrations from Costume History.
You can browse a free digital copy Costume History using the link below.
