Portret van Wendela Bicker 1805

This is Reinier Vinkeles's portrait of Wendela Bicker, made with etching around 1741-1816. Observe the pearl jewelry adorning Wendela; pearls have long been symbols of purity, associated with classical goddesses and often worn in bridal portraits. But before assuming innocence, let us reflect on the cyclical nature of symbols. The pearl's association with tears and sorrow also emerges in the Middle Ages and Renaissance, seen in portraits of grieving women or as memento mori. Here, Wendela's pearls, while suggestive of purity, might also hint at the complexities of life and the subtle awareness of transience, engaging our subconscious with the deeper layers of human experience.