Portret van Maria Magdalena Vierchen 1703 - 1748

Moritz Bodenehr created this print of Maria Magdalena Vierchen. Engravings such as this one reflect the social structures of the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The formal presentation of Maria Magdalena signals her status within society. We know from the inscription that she was born in 1650 and died in 1703. The mode of address gives us further information: her maiden name was Strauchin, which could give clues to her family’s social and geographical origins. It was common for portraits to be commissioned by the sitter or their family as a means of commemorating their lives and signalling their status within society. Such images also played an important role in constructing and reinforcing social hierarchies. The Rijksmuseum's collection of prints and drawings offers valuable insights into the cultural values and social practices of the time. These institutions are vital resources for understanding the full story of this artwork.