Portrait of Gertrude van Limborch
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Object Label
Nine years after their marriage, Gertrude and Frans van Limborch approached Thomas de Keyser to paint a pair of portraits commemorating their union. (The painting of Frans hangs in northern England; see illustration.) In selecting de Keyser, Amsterdam’s great master of polished and elegant figures, the couple signaled their wealth and social standing, which is reinforced here by Gertrude’s rings and costly lace cuffs and ruff. They most likely met the painter in church; all three were Remonstrants, a Protestant sect expelled from the Dutch Reformed Church.
Caption
Thomas de Keyser Dutch, 1596/97–1667. Portrait of Gertrude van Limborch. Oil on canvas, 46 1/8 × 34 1/16 in., 92 lb. (117.2 × 86.5 cm) frame: 59 × 48 × 6 in. (149.9 × 121.9 × 15.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mrs. J. Fuller Feder, 57.142. No known copyright restrictions (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 57.142_PS2.jpg)
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Artist
Title
Portrait of Gertrude van Limborch
Medium
Oil on canvas
Classification
Dimensions
46 1/8 × 34 1/16 in., 92 lb. (117.2 × 86.5 cm) frame: 59 × 48 × 6 in. (149.9 × 121.9 × 15.2 cm)
Inscriptions
(monogram): ANNO 1632. / AETATIS SUAE 27.
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. J. Fuller Feder
Accession Number
57.142
Rights
No known copyright restrictions
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Frequent Art Questions
Why is this woman dressed like a nun?
Her clothing is an example of the height of fashion in 1630s Amsterdam. The tradition of wearing black as a symbol of decorum was actually introduced by the Spanish in the early 16th century.I like her style!
Her clothing was the height of fashion in 1630 Amsterdam! The tradition of wearing black as a symbol of decorum had been introduced by the Spanish in the early 16th century.So how could someone tell between a rich person and a poor person when they were all wearing black?Her wealth would have been signed by the quality of the fabric and the lace that she wears in her cuffs, her cap, and her ruff (collar). According to Anna Reynolds in "In Fine Style: The Art of Tudor and Stuart Fashion" (p. 61), "Collars and cuffs of both needle lace and bobbin lace were popular throughout the seventeenth century, although at certain dates one technique was more dominant than the other." This style of dress was very conservative, in keeping with the Mennonite religion, so showing off wealth by way of jewels and bright colors may have been considered gauche. It's not a topic I'm very well-versed in so these are my conjectures. I can do some research in our object files and see if I can find any other information for you.I was looking at some of Keyser's other paintings online, some women are portrayed with elaborate stitch work in their black dresses, with embroidered cuffs and beautiful, delicate white crowns. Collars and cuffs of both needle lace and bobbin lace were popular throughout the seventeenth century, although at certain dates one technique was more dominant than the other. Their wealth is really evident!Ah, thank you!Warum wurden die Bilder von Gertude van Limborch und ihrem Mann in getrennte Museen aufgehängt? (Why were the pictures of Gertude van Limborch and her husband hung up in separate museums?)
Wie ist das Bild nach Amerika gekommen? (How did the picture come to America?)Die beiden Porträts wurden getrennt, als sie von verschiedenen Sammlern erworben wurden. (The two portraits were separated when they were acquired by different collectors.)Das Porträt von Gertrude kam 1957 zu diesem Museum. Es war von Frau J. Fuller Feder begabt, die ich auch amerikanisch bin. Ich weiß nicht, wann es in die USA kam. (The portrait of Gertrude came to the this museum in 1957. It was gifted by Mrs. J. Fuller Feder who, I believe is also American. I do not know when it came to the USA though.)Is this someone royal? Who is this?
This woman's name was Gertrude van Limborch. She was not royal, but she did come from a relatively wealthy family in 17th century Netherlands.Though the clothing and setting appear, at first, plain, her wealth is communicated through the quality of the fabrics and lace.What did black clothing represent in the 1600s?
This was the height of fashion for the time. The black clothing was a symbol of decorum, which was introduced by the Spanish in the early 16th century.Interesting, it makes me think she is in mourning.Wearing black as a sign of mourning seems ubiquitous today, but it was really popularized in the Victorian Era, 19th century UK and US.You can learn a lot about the priorities of a society by their fashion!Love fashion history!
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