Portrait of Maria Henriëtte van de Pol, Wife of Willem Sautijn 1750 - 1760

Editor: Here we have Frans van der Mijn's "Portrait of Maria Henriëtte van de Pol, Wife of Willem Sautijn," made sometime between 1750 and 1760. It looks like an oil painting. I'm struck by the almost metallic sheen of her gown, which dominates the composition. What do you see in this piece from your perspective? Curator: For me, it's all about the fabric! Consider the sheer amount of labor and resources needed to create and maintain such a garment. This isn't just a pretty picture, it’s a document of social power, a visualization of the intense material processes of 18th-century Dutch society. How do you think the way the fabric drapes contributes to its overall message? Editor: I suppose it shows how wealthy she must have been. You can tell how heavy the material is from the way it falls. Curator: Exactly! That heaviness isn’t just aesthetic; it’s economic. Also, consider the artist’s technique. The skill required to simulate such texture using oil paints elevates the craft of painting itself. Do you notice how light interacts with the different surfaces? Editor: I do see how he contrasts the satin with the lace. He is clearly skilled. Curator: And beyond skill, we can consider the market. This portrait represents an economic transaction: van der Mijn’s artistic labor exchanged for payment, capturing the status of Maria Henriëtte in a consumable form. This is status made into a thing. It's not just a depiction of a woman; it’s a portrait of material consumption. What did we learn about 18th century Dutch Society by looking at this image? Editor: I now understand how something as simple as fabric can become an interesting social indicator of class and labor! Curator: Absolutely! And how analyzing the tangible aspects of art helps unpack those complex ideas.