Vrouw met struisvogelveren op haar hoed c. 1701

Editor: This is "Vrouw met struisvogelveren op haar hoed," or "Woman with ostrich feathers on her hat," a drawing in ink on paper by Jacob Toorenvliet from around 1701. The figure seems so elegant, but the sketch feels very informal and personal. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: This drawing offers a glimpse into the performance of gender and class during the Baroque era. The ostrich feathers, the elaborate dress – these are not just aesthetic choices, but potent signifiers of status and wealth. Editor: How so? Curator: Consider the societal role of women at the time. Elite women were often viewed as symbols of their husband’s success. Their clothing and accessories became visual markers of their family's position within the social hierarchy. It's also interesting to consider the Dutch context, often perceived as more 'republican' than other European nations. Does this image reinforce or challenge those societal expectations, or perhaps exist in tension with them? Editor: It's fascinating to think about fashion as a kind of social performance, rather than just clothing. Does the medium - ink on paper - change how we interpret this compared to a painting? Curator: Absolutely. The immediacy of the drawing allows us to see the process, the artist's hand. We are witnessing a fleeting moment, not necessarily an idealized representation. And the choice of representing this woman – does she represent a contemporary person or is she part of a fictional scene? Editor: This makes me reconsider my initial impression. It is less about personal elegance, and more about the larger power dynamics at play during this time period. Curator: Precisely! Art is never created in a vacuum.