Portrait of Grietje Adriaensdr Grootes (1588-1624) 1622

Jacques Waben painted this portrait of Grietje Adriaensdr Grootes in 1622, likely using oil on canvas. What I find most compelling here is how Waben described Grietje's clothing. Look closely, and you'll notice how much attention is given to the construction of her garments. The pristine white ruff, the lace cuffs, and the embroidery on her dress would all have required painstaking handwork. These elements aren't just decorative; they speak to the social status and economic power of the sitter and her access to skilled labor and specialized materials. In fact, the black fabric was more costly than other colors. Consider too, the hours spent posing for the portrait itself. Ultimately, this painting is not just a likeness, but also a document of its time, telling us much about the complex relationship between aesthetics, labor, and wealth in the 17th century.