Portrait of Josina Cornelisdr van Esch 1632

This is an anonymous portrait of Josina Cornelisdr van Esch, painted in oil on panel. The smoothness of the paint surface belies its complex construction, built up through layers of thin glazes. This technique was highly prized in the Netherlands, where painters sought to mimic the textures of daily life. And that’s exactly where we see the hand of labor here – in the clothing that Josina wears. The production of linen was a major industry, as was the making of lace, a laborious process that demanded intense concentration and dexterity. Consider the contrast: Josina, from a clearly prosperous family, and the artisans who produced the very fabric of her social identity. Though the painter of this portrait remains unknown, we can imagine him as similarly positioned: skillfully rendering the qualities of his society, including its implicit division of labor. So, the next time you see a painting like this, don’t just admire the artist’s skill. Think also of the many other hands that made its very subject possible.