Portrait Of Eva Wtewael 1607 - 1635

Joachim Wtewael painted this portrait of Eva Wtewael, likely his wife, in the Netherlands at the start of the 17th century. It presents us with a glimpse into the domestic life of a well-to-do family in a rapidly changing world. Here, Eva is depicted with the tools of her trade: scissors and a box for sewing accoutrements. We can see how sumptuary laws of the time, designed to restrict displays of wealth, are tested by the elaborate lace collar and cuffs, and the rich fabric of her gown. The book on the table might indicate literacy, a valued attribute amongst the merchant classes. The Dutch Republic was then a rising power, its wealth built on trade and its social structures influenced by the Protestant Reformation. Portraits like these reflected and reinforced the values of a society where domesticity, piety, and industriousness were highly prized. Delving into period inventories, household accounts, and conduct manuals will tell us more about the meaning of this image and the values it embodies.