Portret van Katharina von Bora 1633 - 1733

Editor: Here we have a portrait, etched sometime between 1633 and 1733, of Katharina von Bora. It's located here in the Rijksmuseum. I think the first word that comes to mind is ‘austere’. What grabs you when you look at it? Curator: Austere is good, but maybe “serene” is the emotional keyword. Look at her eyes – yes, she has the proper pious headgear for a woman of her time, but what *I* see is intelligence, self-possession… maybe even humor, lurking behind the composed facade. How about that little wry half-smile? The engraver, Nunzer, wasn't just copying an earlier painting, he was giving her *presence*. You get the feeling you’re looking at *her*, not just a type. Does she remind you of someone, perhaps a distant ancestor? Editor: She does seem rather... modern. In her posture, maybe? Confident. I like how the family crest feels a bit separate, like an add-on instead of a core identity. Do you think the engraver was trying to subvert expectations? Curator: Subversion might be too strong a word. Awareness, definitely! Consider: Katharina wasn't just *any* woman; she was Katherine von Bora, a former nun who married Martin Luther. Talk about shaking things up! That knowing look... I think Nunzer was saying, 'Here's a woman who made her own history.' And isn't that more interesting than any crest? Editor: I hadn't considered the expression that deeply. You've definitely given me a fresh perspective. Thanks! Curator: And you, a keen eye! Keep looking – the art is in the conversation it begins, especially with ourselves.