Henriëtta Wolters-van Pee (1692-1741). Echtgenote van Herman Wolters 1719

This is a portrait of Henriëtta Wolters-van Pee, painted by her husband Herman Wolters, sometime in the early 18th century. As a woman artist in the Dutch Republic, Henriëtta would have navigated a world where her gender significantly shaped her artistic opportunities. Despite these challenges, she achieved recognition as a painter of miniatures and glass engravings. As the wife of an artist, her access to the art world was certainly impacted. Here, we see a piece made by her husband, of her. The intimacy of the artist and his sitter certainly provides access to the nuances of Henriëtta’s identity, and can be seen in the soft brushstrokes that make up her face. The pearl necklace and flower in her hair suggest an attention to the details of her presentation. The soft colours and attention to detail capture a sense of her likeness, and her social standing. This miniature is a tangible expression of a marital bond. The portrait provides us with a glimpse into the life of a woman artist, seen through the eyes of her husband.