Hemd, lang, vervaardigd van linnen c. 1590 - 1596

This long shirt was made from linen, likely somewhere in the Netherlands. Although the date and maker of this piece are unknown, the very survival of a common garment speaks volumes. Textiles are fragile; garments even more so. The survival of this shirt, likely worn by a working-class person, offers a rare window into the daily lives of ordinary people. The very fact that such an item was preserved, eventually finding its way into the Rijksmuseum, tells us something about changing attitudes towards everyday life and material culture. What was once mundane has become precious, a testament to the value we now place on understanding the social fabric of the past. It's a potent reminder that history isn't just about kings and queens but also about the countless anonymous individuals who shaped society. Historical records, probate inventories, and even paintings can provide further clues, but in the end, the object itself whispers stories that no document can fully capture.