Willem Hendrik van Nieuwerkerke ligt gewikkeld in laken op bed om zich te beschermen tegen muggen en vlooien 1778

This watercolor on paper, made by Louis Ducros, depicts Willem Hendrik van Nieuwerkerke wrapped in a bedsheet. Ducros used watercolor, a medium that allows for fluidity and translucency, which echoes the softness and lightness of the linens enveloping Nieuwerkerke. The material itself emphasizes the vulnerability of the figure: swaddled in cloth, Nieuwerkerke is trying to protect himself from the bites of insects. This everyday scene reveals a great deal about the material conditions of the time. Fine textiles like these linen sheets were products of extensive labor, from flax cultivation to weaving, bleaching, and laundering. They were valuable commodities, indicative of a certain level of comfort, yet even wealth could not buy complete protection from the irritations of daily life. Ducros’ choice of watercolor further underscores the ephemeral nature of the moment, capturing the textures and tones of the fabric, while hinting at the unseen threats lurking beneath the surface. It reminds us that even the most refined materials are subject to the realities of the body and its environment.