Vier vrouwen in Münsterse kleding c. 1670

Gesina ter Borch made this watercolor drawing of four women in the local style of dress in Münster, Germany, sometime in the mid-17th century. Ter Borch was from a family of artists and was never formally admitted to the Guild of Saint Luke, a typical trade association in the Netherlands and Flanders. Therefore, she occupied a somewhat marginal position in the art world of her time. In the Dutch Golden Age, clothing was more than just protection; it was a billboard of social identity. These costumes visually broadcasted the wearer's region and allegiance. Each figure in the composition models a distinct style, yet the overall effect suggests a collective identity. The choice to depict clothing, rather than portraiture, speaks to the emphasis on cultural and regional markers of identity in the artist's time. To fully appreciate this image, art historians consult a range of resources, from fashion history archives to social and economic records, understanding that the meaning of art is always rooted in its social and institutional context.