Portret van Kenau Simonsdochter Hasselaer, 1573 17th - 18th century

This drawing, made in 1573 by an anonymous artist, depicts Kenau Simonsdochter Hasselaer. The work, executed with pen in grey-brown ink and grey wash, presents us with a stark, frontal view of a woman holding a spear, her posture suggesting strength and defiance. The composition is rigidly divided, setting the figure against a backdrop of architectural structures and distant conflict. This ordered arrangement, however, is disrupted by the subject’s intense gaze, which challenges the viewer directly, destabilizing any passive reading of her representation. The use of line and wash creates a textured surface that adds depth to the figure's clothing. The stark contrasts of light and shadow sculpt the form, giving it a sculptural presence despite the flatness of the medium. These formal elements—the controlled lines, stark light, and structured composition—transform the portrait beyond a mere likeness, inviting us to question the constructed nature of heroism and the representation of women in times of conflict. It's a powerful statement that resonates through its formal rigor.