Handtekening van Caspar Netscher 1649 - 1684

Here are two signatures by Caspar Netscher on a piece of paper, housed at the Rijksmuseum. At first glance, a signature may seem like a simple, personal mark, but it's important to remember that in 17th century Netherlands, a signature, like a portrait, served as a key element of social identity and status. Netscher was a sought-after portrait painter, catering to wealthy merchants and even royalty. In a society increasingly driven by commerce and status, a well-crafted signature became a symbol of one's place in the world. It was about solidifying one's identity within a complex social structure. Netscher's own rise in the art world, moving from humble beginnings to painting for the elite, speaks volumes about the social mobility of the time, and the importance of crafting a persona. To understand Netscher fully, we can delve into archival records, such as letters, financial documents, and guild records. This signature, then, becomes a starting point for understanding the social world of the Dutch Golden Age.