Portret van Gerberga van Neder-Lotharingen after 1661

Pieter de Jode II created this engraving, "Portret van Gerberga van Neder-Lotharingen", giving us a glimpse into the representation of women in the 17th century. Gerberga, daughter of Lower Lorraine, is portrayed with the symbols of her status: elaborate headdress, jewelry, and fur-lined robes. Yet, this image also speaks volumes about the constraints placed upon women of her era. The inscription makes note that she outlived her husband: Gerberga's identity and worth are framed by her relationship to men and her place within the patriarchal structure of the nobility. What does it mean to exist within a portrait, forever defined by lineage and marital status, one's individual story secondary to their role in a dynasty? The emotional weight of this question lingers as we consider Gerberga's gaze, which seems to hold both strength and a hint of resignation. The artwork offers not just a portrait of a woman, but also reflects the broader societal issues of gender and power.