Berend van Iddekinge (1717-1801) with his Wife Johanna Maria Sichterman (1726-1756) and their Son Jan Albert (b 1744) 1744 - 1748

Philip van Dijk painted this family portrait in the first half of the 18th century, likely using oil on canvas. Looking closely, you can see how the artist paid close attention to the fabrics depicted, and how they drape and fold: the heavy curtain behind the family, the velvet of the mother’s dress, and the embroidered details of the father’s jacket. The cost of these materials would have been considerable, and the skill required to produce them – spinning, dyeing, weaving, tailoring, and embroidery – represents countless hours of labor. The family's wealth is clearly on display here. Also, consider what isn't represented: the many hands that brought these luxurious materials into being, or the social realities that allowed such displays of affluence. By focusing our attention on these material aspects, we can start to see beyond the surface of this elegant portrait, and appreciate its deeper cultural significance.