Portret van Regina Varnbüler 1597

This is Jakob Lederlein’s “Portret van Regina Varnbüler,” an engraving completed in 1597. Note the oval frame around Regina, adorned with cherubs, foliage, and draped fabric. The Latin inscriptions above and below her image are also noteworthy. Considered within its historical and social context, this portrait offers insight into the status and identity of women in the late 16th century. Regina was 71 years old and had been married for 50 years when this portrait was made. The inscription emphasizes her virtue and role as a "Domus Curatrix," or caretaker of the home, reflecting the societal expectations placed on women of her time. The choice of Latin, the elaborate framing, and the presence of cherubs, position Regina as an educated woman, capable of reading Latin, and of high status. Lederlein’s engraving captures the dignity and grace of a woman who lived through times of significant cultural and religious change. The emotional depth of the work invites us to reflect on the lives of women whose stories are often absent from historical narratives.