Griete Jacobsdr van Rhijn (1585-1652), Wife of Jacob Cornelisz Banjaert, called van Neck 1605

Cornelis Ketel painted this portrait of Griete Jacobsdr van Rhijn in the late 16th or early 17th century, using oil on panel. Ketel was working in Amsterdam during a period of great social transformation. The Dutch Revolt against Spanish rule had led to a newfound sense of national identity and wealth. Portraits became increasingly popular as a means for merchants and their families to assert their status within this evolving society. Griete's elegant ruff, elaborate jewelry and the gold trim on her gown are visual indicators of her social standing. The painting, like the sitter, is poised and reserved, but what do we know about the institutions of art that shaped its meaning? To explore the portraiture of this period, resources such as genealogical records, merchant logs, and guild records will help us contextualize the painting and gain insights into the economic and social factors that gave rise to this image. This helps us understand the role of portraiture as a marker of identity within a specific historical moment.