Portrait of a Woman, called Theodora de Visscher, Wife of Jacob Rijswijk 1640 - 1650

This is a portrait of Theodora de Visscher, wife of Jacob Rijswijk, painted anonymously. Observe the delicate lace collar, and the ribbons on her dress, these are not merely decorative. They speak volumes of status and societal expectations. The bow, a motif we see echoed through art history. From ancient Greece, where ribbons signified honor, to the French Rococo, with its elaborate displays of wealth, ribbons and bows have transcended mere adornment, becoming potent emblems of power. Consider the recurring image of tied ribbons, a symbolic act of binding or uniting. This gesture appears frequently in betrothal and marriage images, signifying a connection between individuals and families. The collective memory we have associated with these images affect the way we perceive this portrait, evoking subconscious feelings of tradition, duty, and romantic love. The symbolism is so deeply embedded in our collective psyche that it resonates even without conscious recognition.