Jongedame naast drie vanitasteksten c. 1648

This is a page from an album amicorum, or friendship book, featuring a young woman alongside three "vanitas" texts, made by Gesina ter Borch in the 17th century. Ter Borch was from an affluent family, but as a woman in the Dutch Golden Age, her opportunities as an artist were limited to the domestic sphere. The "vanitas" theme, common in Dutch art, reminds us of life's transience. It's intriguing to see how Ter Borch, a woman navigating the constraints of her time, engages with this theme. The young woman is modestly dressed, yet there's a quiet confidence in her stance. Is Ter Borch commenting on the fleeting nature of youth and beauty, or is she, perhaps, asserting a sense of self-awareness and agency within the confines of societal expectations? Ter Borch inscribed her name at the bottom of the page, claiming authorship and thereby pushing the boundaries of her expected role. This delicate watercolor offers a glimpse into the artist’s inner world, inviting us to reflect on the complexities of identity, mortality, and female artistry in the 17th century.