Why is this woman dressed like a nun?
Her clothing is an example of the height of fashion in 1630s Amsterdam. The tradition of wearing black as a symbol of decorum was actually introduced by the Spanish in the early 16th century.
I like her style!
Her clothing was the height of fashion in 1630 Amsterdam! The tradition of wearing black as a symbol of decorum had been introduced by the Spanish in the early 16th century.
So how could someone tell between a rich person and a poor person when they were all wearing black?
Her wealth would have been signed by the quality of the fabric and the lace that she wears in her cuffs, her cap, and her ruff (collar). According to Anna Reynolds in "In Fine Style: The Art of Tudor and Stuart Fashion" (p. 61), "Collars and cuffs of both needle lace and bobbin lace were popular throughout the seventeenth century, although at certain dates one technique was more dominant than the other." This style of dress was very conservative, in keeping with the Mennonite religion, so showing off wealth by way of jewels and bright colors may have been considered gauche. It's not a topic I'm very well-versed in so these are my conjectures. I can do some research in our object files and see if I can find any other information for you.
I was looking at some of Keyser's other paintings online, some women are portrayed with elaborate stitch work in their black dresses, with embroidered cuffs and beautiful, delicate white crowns. Collars and cuffs of both needle lace and bobbin lace were popular throughout the seventeenth century, although at certain dates one technique was more dominant than the other. Their wealth is really evident!
Ah, thank you!
Warum wurden die Bilder von Gertude van Limborch und ihrem Mann in getrennte Museen aufgehängt? (Why were the pictures of Gertude van Limborch and her husband hung up in separate museums?)
Wie ist das Bild nach Amerika gekommen? (How did the picture come to America?)
Die beiden Porträts wurden getrennt, als sie von verschiedenen Sammlern erworben wurden. (The two portraits were separated when they were acquired by different collectors.)
Das Porträt von Gertrude kam 1957 zu diesem Museum. Es war von Frau J. Fuller Feder begabt, die ich auch amerikanisch bin. Ich weiß nicht, wann es in die USA kam. (The portrait of Gertrude came to the this museum in 1957. It was gifted by Mrs. J. Fuller Feder who, I believe is also American. I do not know when it came to the USA though.)
Is this someone royal? Who is this?
This woman's name was Gertrude van Limborch. She was not royal, but she did come from a relatively wealthy family in 17th century Netherlands.
Though the clothing and setting appear, at first, plain, her wealth is communicated through the quality of the fabrics and lace.
What did black clothing represent in the 1600s?
This was the height of fashion for the time. The black clothing was a symbol of decorum, which was introduced by the Spanish in the early 16th century.
Interesting, it makes me think she is in mourning.
Wearing black as a sign of mourning seems ubiquitous today, but it was really popularized in the Victorian Era, 19th century UK and US.
You can learn a lot about the priorities of a society by their fashion!
Love fashion history!
