Portret van Johanna Geertruida Jonker-Nije 1878 - 1900

This is a portrait of Johanna Geertruida Jonker-Nije, captured by Johannes Leonardus van der Heijden. Notice her clothing, which is symbolic in itself. Buttons, tightly arranged up the front of her dress, are a common motif in historical portraiture to show structure and societal roles. Think of how the image of a knight’s armor becomes a symbol of protection and status in medieval art. Her high-necked dress and the plainness of her hair similarly speak of restraint. We see this motif echoed across the ages, shifting from displays of wealth and power to symbols of piety and social standing. How do such elements function as cultural memory? They are a reflection of societal values and the subconscious expression of deeply ingrained beliefs, and each element is reborn with every new context.