Vier portretten van Nederlandse kunstenaars Hendrik Noteman, Jacob Gole, Maria Schalcken en Wigerus Vitringa 1776 - 1816

Johannes Christiaan Bendorp created this print, *Vier portretten van Nederlandse kunstenaars Hendrik Noteman, Jacob Gole, Maria Schalcken en Wigerus Vitringa*, sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century. This work reflects the cultural milieu of the Dutch art world, a world in which artists' legacies were carefully curated and celebrated through portraiture. The choice to depict four artists—each with distinct styles and contributions—speaks to the desire to immortalize their creative achievements. The presence of Maria Schalcken, one of the few recognized female artists of her time, prompts us to consider the gender dynamics within the art world, and how women navigated a male-dominated field. Schalcken's inclusion in this collection suggests an attempt to acknowledge her significance, however, one wonders if her work was valued on par with her male counterparts. Consider the emotional investment in creating and preserving artistic legacies, and how cultural memory is shaped by who we choose to remember.