Portrait of Cornelia Tedingh van Berckhout (1614-80) 1648

Michiel Jansz. van Mierevelt painted this portrait of Cornelia Tedingh van Berckhout using oil on panel. The dark background and dress throw Cornelia’s face and lace collar into sharp relief. The artist has achieved this effect by carefully layering thin glazes of paint, a painstaking process. Yet, if we look closer at the image, we begin to consider the labor involved in Cornelia’s attire. Note the delicate handmade lace of her collar, constructed through interlacing threads, and the meticulous stringing of pearls. Someone, or perhaps several people, spent hours producing these items. The portrait isn’t just about Cornelia; it's also about the many hands that contributed to her appearance. We can appreciate not only the skill of the painter but also the intricate craft of lacemaking and jewelry creation. Recognizing this labor helps us appreciate the full richness of this artwork, challenging the conventional emphasis on the fine arts alone.