Portrait of Maria de la Queillerie (1629-64), first Wife of Jan van Riebeeck, or his second Wife Maria Scipio (c. 1630-95) c. 1660

This is a portrait of either Maria de la Queillerie or Maria Scipio, both wives of Jan van Riebeeck, painted by an anonymous artist. Painted during the height of the Dutch Golden Age, this portrait reflects the intersection of personal identity and colonial history. The woman’s formal attire, complete with pearl jewelry, speaks to the wealth accumulated through the Dutch East India Company. We see a woman whose life was tied to colonial expansion, the complexities of which cannot be ignored. In an era marked by exploration and exploitation, women often found themselves navigating cultural encounters and social expectations far from their homelands. What was it like for her to come to terms with her role within these historical processes? Portraits like these invite us to consider the individuals behind historical narratives, prompting empathy and critical reflection on the legacies of colonialism and the women who navigated its complexities.