Portrait of Sara Stiermans, the Artist's Wife 1750 - 1798

Here we see Dionys van Nijmegen's intimate portrait of his wife, Sara Stiermans. Painted in the 18th century, this small-scale work offers a window into the domestic life and gender roles of the Dutch Golden Age. Sara is depicted with a soft, almost melancholic gaze, adorned in the attire of a well-to-do woman of her time. The fur trim on her coat and the simple head covering speak to her status, yet there's an undeniable intimacy in the way she's presented. The question arises: what does it mean to be both muse and wife? How much agency did Sara have in her representation? Van Nijmegen's choice to portray his wife in such a personal manner invites us to consider the complexities of marriage and identity in this period. This portrait is not just an image of a woman; it's a reflection on the personal and societal expectations placed upon women in the 1700s.