Staande broeder met een staf c. 1657

Gesina ter Borch made this watercolor of a standing brother with a staff. Although it's undated, Ter Borch was working in the Netherlands during the Dutch Golden Age. Let's consider the social conditions that shaped this image. Ter Borch was a woman artist at a time when this was uncommon. While she came from an artistic family, it was still unusual for women to be recognized for their work. The Protestant Reformation in the 16th century had a profound impact on Dutch society, leading to the rise of Protestantism and a decline in the influence of the Catholic Church. In this context, Ter Borch's depiction of a religious figure, specifically a brother with a staff, may reflect the changing religious landscape and the varying attitudes toward religious institutions in Dutch society. To fully understand this image, we could research Dutch social history during Ter Borch's lifetime, looking at the role of women artists and the impact of religious and political change on artistic production. This kind of research reveals how art is always embedded in a particular social and institutional context.