Portretten van Agnes Eleonora Herold en Gertrud Juliana Magdalena Patow c. 1720 - 1723

Martin Bernigeroth created this print, “Portretten van Agnes Eleonora Herold en Gertrud Juliana Magdalena Patow”, sometime between 1670 and 1733. Bernigeroth's memorial print captures more than just the likenesses of Agnes and Gertrud. It encapsulates the cultural values and social expectations placed on women of their time. The portraits, framed in ovals, suggest a sense of honor and preservation, while the weeping figure below introduces an element of grief and mourning. The skull at the base brings an awareness of mortality, reminding us of the transience of life and beauty. Consider how gender shapes the representation of grief and memory. Is this presentation of women as objects of mourning a reflection of their limited agency, or a recognition of their emotional depth? The work invites us to reflect on how society remembers and values women's lives.