Portret van een meisje in Noord-Hollandse kleding 1816 - 1833

Roelof van der Meulen created this print of a girl in North Holland clothing, likely in the 1820s, now held at the Rijksmuseum. During the early 19th century, the Netherlands was in a period of nation-building following French occupation. This portrait, with its meticulous detail of regional costume, reflects a broader interest in cultural identity and heritage. The girl's attire, complete with a decorated cap and ornate dress, speaks to the importance of regional identity and the preservation of local customs during a time of national consolidation. The style of the portrait evokes a sense of idealized beauty and virtue, common in depictions of women at the time, yet the regional specificity also underscores a celebration of Dutch diversity. This print serves as a window into the cultural values and the nuanced expressions of identity that shaped the Netherlands in the post-Napoleonic era. It captures a moment where personal and regional identities were carefully negotiated within the larger framework of a burgeoning national consciousness.