Portret van Aechje Claesdr. 1698 - 1776

This print portraying Aechje Claesdr. was rendered by Johannes de Groot. The sitter's bonnet and ruff, emblems of her time, are more than mere fashion. The ruff, a circular pleated collar, initially signified status and formality, finding its roots in the late Middle Ages, when necklines began their ascent. Observe how this encircling form mirrors the halos of saints, or the sun discs of ancient deities. It’s as if the very act of framing the face becomes an act of hallowing it. Consider too, the bonnet; its close embrace of the head reminiscent of the veils worn by nuns or widows. These garments create a powerful visual language about piety and mourning. These motifs of enclosure and framing resonate across time. From Byzantine icons to Renaissance portraits, the human face, encircled and emphasized, becomes a vessel of profound emotional and spiritual resonance. The echoes of the past return, even in the simple attire of a Dutch woman.